Your Thoughts and Feedback are Appreciated!

Another quarter has come and gone.  When we started off together it was warm and sunny and now there is no doubt winter is here!  Although I admit, it's been a challenging quarter, I hope you can say that you learned something from this class.  It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you and I wish you much success in your future.

For our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class.  "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do better as an instructor?"  Answers are due no later than Sunday, December 12th, 2010.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.  To all of you out there, may you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season filled with family, friends, good food and good conversation.  Have a safe and happy 2011 - and remember, don't drink and drive!

Who Needs Marriage?

In the past few years, it seems most of my friends have gotten married and started families. Meanwhile, I’m still stuck sitting at the kiddie table during holidays and fending off inquiries from my mother about when I am going to give her grandkids. The old saying “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” certainly applies to me. So when this month’s Time magazine came in the mail with a cover story entitled, “Who Needs Marriage?” I sat down right away to read it, and what I found out is pretty interesting:

• A Pew research study recently revealed 39% of Americans say marriage is becoming obsolete.
• In 1960, nearly 70% of American adults were married, now only about half are.
• Eight times as many children are born out of wedlock, compared to fifty years ago

The article analyzed several reasons for these trends from women becoming more educated and independent to children of divorced parents not wanting to marry themselves. It discussed the status and the benefits of being married and why some people don’t choose to go that route, even if they are in committed relationships. As author Belinda Luscombe stated, “When an institution so central to human experience suddenly changes shape in the space of a generation or two, it’s worth trying to figure out why”.

So my question to you this week is two-fold. “Why do you think marriage is becoming obsolete? How do you personally feel about it?” You must answer both questions to earn full credit. Answers are due no later than Sunday, December 5th, 2010.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.


This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. I am also thankful that I have two jobs in an economy where people often can't find one. I have been blessed this year in buying my first home and I am thankful that I have the means to do so.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 28th, 2010.  Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Bush: Anyone Miss Him Yet?

President Bush has been making the media rounds lately to promote his new book, "Decision Points".  I happened to catch him on Oprah and was surprised to find myself laughing along at his corny jokes.  He actually seemed likable.  There were times during the interview when I even felt a little sorry for him, like when he discussed his responsibilities after September, 11th.

Now I try very hard to stay neutral in class and keep my political opinions to myself.  If anything, I try to play the devil's advocate to get you to see the other side of things.  However, I will admit that by the time President Bush left office, I was glad to see him go. It had nothing to do with the Republican party, or politics in general, it was just him.  I had just had enough!  Then here is is on Oprah, and I find myself actually seeing his side of things for the first time.

Last week in class I asked you if you though history would judge President Bush better than America does currently.  Most of you thought that history would judge him the same. So my question to you this week is "When you think back on President Bush's years in office, what do you remember him most for?  Name one positive and one negative thing that you think came out of his presidency".  You must answer both questions to earn full credit.  Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 21st, 2010.

Should Newspapers Be Saved?

Recently, we studied how the media affects our political culture and why it is sometimes called the fourth branch of government. The media's influence on politics has always affected how we view our politicians; from the times of the penny press, FDR's fireside chats and the televised Kennedy/Nixon debates. However, it is now possible that some major cities will soon no longer have a newspaper.

In a recent cover story, Times author Walter Issacon notes that although readership is on the rise, fewer consumers are paying. According to a Pew Research study, more people got their news online for free last year, than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. The newspapers, which traditionally have counted on sales from subscriptions and newsstands are now only relying on advertising dollars, thus making the content beholden to the advertisers themselves.

Walter Issacon makes a case for charging for the news we access. Whether we pay an online subscription fee for the newspaper of our choice, or we are simply charged a "user fee" for each article we access, Issacon stresses that charging for content might just be the only way to save our newspapers.

You are all creative students, who produce artistic content that I am sure you would like to get paid for, yet at the same time, I am sure many of your access news for free off of the Internet. So my question to you this week is, "Do you think we should be charged for the news we access, and if so, with what kind of fee?". Answers are due Sunday, November 14th, 2010.  P.S.  Thursday is Veteran's Day!  To all those who serve - thank you for your sacrifice!

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

I was shocked last week when I saw a headline come off of the wire which said, "Indiana parents told to drop disabled kids at shelters". Surely, I couldn't be reading that correctly.  There must be more to the story...right?  Wrong - apparently that is what has been happening around the state, as Indiana's budget crunch has become so severe that many familes haven't received the Medicaid waivers they need to help pay for services that support disabled people living independently.

There have been no confirmed cases of families dumping servely disabled people at homeless shelters, but according to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Indiana's Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services has told parents that is one option if they can no longer care for children at home.  Some families have been on waiting lists for Medicaid waivers for ten years, while budget cuts have also resulted in the state moving foster children with disabilities to a lower cost program that doesn't provide services for children with special needs.  Hundreds of developmentally disabled adults have also had their grocery benefit eliminated under the budget cuts.

Now, I come from a family of teachers.  I'm used to hearing them complain how education is under-funded and how many times they buy their own school supplies.  I work with people who get public-assistance, so I see first-hand how people no longer have access to basic services such as food, shelter and healthcare.  It's sad to say, but I'm used to living in a world that doesn't care to, or can no longer afford to care for it's own.  That being said, I was outraged when I read this article!  I'm at a loss for words!  I just can not believe it!

I'm sure most of you will feel the same way when you read this post.  So, my question to you this week is, "Where should Indiana get the money to pay for these services?  Should we cut funding from another area, and if so, what"?  Budgets can be hard to read and understand, so you can use this link as a guide to Indiana's budget: http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/crd/localgov/Topics/Essays/State_Budget_Outlook.htm
Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 7th, 2010.  Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  tomorrow, so don't forget to cast your vote before or after class tomorrow!

Fight For Your Rights

As you hopefully know, the mid-term election is coming up on Tuesday, November 2nd. A mid-term election is one that happens in the middle of a Presidential term. The President is not running for office, but one-third of the Senate, all of the House of Representatives and many other state and local officials are up for re-election. The mid-term elections always have a much lower voter turnout, even though state and local officials can have a much bigger impact on a person’s everyday life than the President can.

If you would like more information on Indiana candidates, please access the Indiana Voter Guide published by the Indiana Election Division here: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2010_Candidate_Guide_final_version_11_02_09.pdf
To find out where your polling places is located, visit the Marion County Election Board website here: http://maps.indy.gov/VIP/

As we have discussed in class, we have a two-party system, with several minor parties which receive only a very small percentage of votes. Oftentimes in the mid-term elections, people don’t know as much about the candidates and so they vote entirely based off their party preference. So this week I would like to you to access and take a quiz to see which political party you most identify with. Share you results! “Were you surprised by the results? Did you already know which party you best identify with?” It is important to note, that when taking the quiz you must select whether or not you agree with the statement, and also place the sliding scale on the priority level that issue has for you. You can access the quiz here:
http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=americanparty2

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Remembering Nicole

Those of you who have known me for awhile, may know of the tragedy that struck my family last year, when my boyfriend’s sister was murdered in a domestic violence incident. Like other victims of domestic violence, Nicole was so much more than a statistic. She was a mother, a daughter, a sister and friend.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and in memory of Nicole, I am fundraising for the Julian Center, a local domestic violence shelter here in Indianapolis. If you are interested in donating to the cause, you can access this link to see a “wish list” of supplies that the Julian Center needs: www.juliancenter.org/wish_list.html Bring any supplies to class through the month of October, and I will ensure that they are dropped off at the Julian Center at the end of the month. Though it will not affect your grade in any way, it will affect someone’s life!

One out of every four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. It could be someone you know. Many times, domestic violence goes unreported. Nearly 21,000 women are abused in Marion County each year. In Indiana, most domestic battery charges are classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by probation up to one year in jail, and a $5,000 fine.

For this week’s post, I would first like you to find one statistic on domestic violence to share with the rest of us in your post. You may not use a statistic that someone else has already posted. My question for you this week is, “Why do you think this type of violence many times goes unreported? Do you think there should be different penalties in place, and if so, what kind?” You should include your statistic in your post. Answers are due no later than Sunday, October 24th, 2010. If you or someone you know is being affected by domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is staffed 24 hours per day at 1-800-799-SAFE. All calls remain confidential.

Celebrating National Coming Out Day!

This week we will begin a discussion on same sex marriage, and the rights homosexuals have under our current laws. So when I heard over the break that a local business, Just Cookies, declined to take an order from a diversity group at IUPUI, I knew I wanted to blog about it. The diversity group had tried to order rainbow colored cupcakes for National Coming Out Day which occurs on October 11th. Since the group was denied service, the story has made national news, with people weighing in both for and against.

Owner Lilly Stockton said she didn’t have sufficient materials to make the rainbow colors needed for the order. Her husband and co-owner David Stockton had a different explanation of why his business declined the order. As he told Fox 59, “We’re a family run business, we have two young impressionable daughters and we thought it was best we didn’t do that”.

Protesters with GetEQUAL Indiana rallied today at the City Market to protest what they see as discrimination towards homosexuals. The city of Indianapolis has launched an investigation to determine if the business violated Indianapolis' anti-discriminatory ordinance. Just Cookies released a statement today, which said in part, “In the United States, citizens have the right to demonstrate, and businesses have the right to operate within the bounds of the law. As citizens and owners of a small business, we pray that our country remains a free Democratic society and these rights are never taken away by anyone who seeks to unlawfully impose their will or agenda on others."

So my question to you this week is two-fold, “Should small businesses have the right to serve whoever they want or did Just Cookies violate the anti-discrimination ordinance? What do you think could be done to encourage equality among people of all backgrounds?” You must answer both questions to earn full credit. Answers are due no later than Sunday, October 17th, 2010.

Be the Change You Wish to See

This week in class we will begin our study of the Constitution and the concepts that make us uniquely American.  You can order your own free copy of the Constitution here: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

As we get to know each other this quarter, you will learn that I am a big believer in volunteerism and giving back.  I'd like to leave this world better than I found it.  For our first blog, I'd like to get know you a little better, so my question to you this week is, "What is something you could do to help your school, your community or your planet?"  Answers are due no later than Sunday, October 10th, 2010.

Your Thoughts and Feedback are Appreciated!

Well another quarter has come and gone!  I have enjoyed getting to know all of you and hearing your opinions in class!  When we started together, most of you hated politics, and now you are ready to go out and change the world!  I wish all of you blessings and success in the future.  Please stay in touch and feel free to visit and post on the blog whenever you like.

So for our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class.  "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make it better?"  Answers are due no later than Tuesday, September 21st, 2010.  After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter.  To those of you who are graduating, congratulations on all your hard work and achievements!  For everyone else, I hope you enjoy the break!  Signing off for the last time....(okay maybe not the last time, but it sounded good)

The Cyberage of Bullying

Growing up, my school, like almost every other school in America, had different “cliques” of students. There were the “jocks”, the “nerds”, the “band geeks”, the “Goth kids,” … the list could go on and on. In the interest of not offending anyone, (I probably already have – sorry to those of you who play instruments) I won’t continue, but you get my point. Some kids got bullied, some kids did the bullying and that’s just the way things were. Nowadays, school bullying is on the rise, and the issue is heating up all around the country.

Statistics on the rates of bullying and cyber-bulling vary between studies depending on the measures used and the population studied, however the general consensus is one out of every three students in bullied in school. School bullying can cause physical and mental harm to students. Students affected by bullying have lower attendance and grade point averages, and a higher propensity towards violence and criminal activity.

Indiana State Senator Tom Wyss said that while Indiana school systems may have bullying policies in place, he wants to make sure they are enforced. “We’ve got a lot of school systems where the administrators aren’t really following through like they should,” Wyss stated. Indiana law defines bullying as “any verbal, physical or other act committed by a student with the intent of harassing, ridiculing, intimidating or harming another student”. The law sounds pretty inclusive, but cyber-bulling isn’t specifically covered, which is another aspect Wyss is trying to change. It seems more and more students are victims of cyber-bullying, in which technology is used to harass, tease and spread rumors about students.

So, my question to you this week is two-fold. “Do you think bullying is on the rise, or are parents and the media making too big of deal out of it? Realistically, what do you think could be done to stop school bullying?” You must answer both parts to get full credit. Answers are due no later than Tuesday, September 14th, 2010.

Rest, Relax and Have Fun!

I’ve been looking forward to the three-day weekend coming up for a long time. I get a “free” day off of work, football season starts and summer ends – which hopefully means and end to the debilitating heat. We always get together as a family and have one last summer cookout. I’ll admit, I’ve never given any real thought to why we have Labor Day until this week.

Labor Day is a federal holiday that is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It was first celebrated locally in New York City in 1882. In 1884, President Grover Cleveland supported making it a national holiday and Congress unanimously signed it into law. By the end of the 20th century, all fifty states had also made it a state holiday. According to the Department of Labor, the holiday is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of U.S. workers”. It is a tribute to the “contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country”.

So, in honor of the holiday, my question to you this week will be an easy one. “Did you know anything about the origins of Labor Day? How do you plan to celebrate your three-day weekend?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, September 7th, 2010. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

To Protect and Serve

Last week prosecutor’s dropped drunk driving charges against Indianapolis police officer David Bisard, because the officer’s blood test wasn’t properly obtained. Officer Bisard stands accused in the fatal crash that killed one and injured two other people, when his police cruiser crashed into two motorcycles stopped at a light.

The Marion County Prosecutor, Carl Brizzi, said the blood test, which showed the officer over two times the legal limit for alcohol, would be inadmissible in court because it wasn’t taken in a hospital by someone certified to do so. Instead, the officer was taken to a clinic where police officers are often taken when they become injured on the job and his blood was drawn by a lab technician. State law requires alcohol-blood test to be administered by someone certified to do so to be admissible in court.

Officers at the scene of the accident did not give Bisard a breath test or field sobriety test and his blood was not drawn until two hours after the accident. Bisard has been suspended from the force without pay and still faces other felony reckless homicide charges.

The case has made top headlines in Indianapolis and the public outcry at the “suspected favoritism” shown to the officer has been great. The FBI has been called to review the handling of the case. The officers at the scene maintain that they followed proper procedures and protocol and did not treat Bisard any differently than they would any other citizen. My question to you this week is, “What do you think of the case? Do you think the officer was given “special” treatment, or do police just get a bad rap? Were the officers responding to the scene doing their job, or protecting one of their own?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, August 31st, 2010.  On a side note, I am really happy with last week's blog discussion and as a whole, your class has done a great job with the blog!

All You Need is Love?

Recently I was asked to post something regarding same sex marriage.  Since we have discussed same sex marriage in class when we covered the Full Faith and Credit Clause, I decided to re-post something I have blogged about before that directly relates to same sex marriage.  On a side note, I saw yesterday that Neil Patrick Harris, formerly known as "Doogie Howser", is expecting twins with his partner this fall. The news caused a little firestorm of controversy, so this blog should fit right in!

Efforts to ban gay and lesbian couples from adoption are heating up all across America. Florida has banned same sex adoptions since 1977. In Mississippi, gay singles can adopt but gay couples can not. In Utah, all un-married couples are banned from adoption. Currently, sixteen additional states are considering bans of same sex adoptions, including Indiana.

Opponents of same sex adoptions, often say that children being raised with same-sex parents will have psychological issues, be bullied or teased at school, have unclear gender role models and perhaps even become gay or lesbian themselves.

Supporters of same sex adoptions include the National Adoption Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Pediatrics, all of which state that adoptions by gay or lesbian couples do not negatively affect children.

The issue of same sex adoption is one that inspires debate across America and will probably be left up to the courts to decide, however one thing is clear: we all want what is best for our children. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of same sex adoptions? Why do you feel the way you do?” Answers are due by Tuesday, August 24th.

The Next Great Indy Artist

Do you know what an impact your creativity could have on your community? Most of you heard the story last week of how my car was broken into. I planned to blog this week about what seems to be a rise in crime in Indianapolis. As I was doing my research, I found one crime prevention method that seems to be working in several cities around the country: public art.

My first thought was of the electronic dancing people I’ve seen downtown. My second thought was, “How does public art relate to crime prevention”? Further research revealed what I should’ve already known. Public art gives young people something to do other than hang out in the streets. It can make neighborhoods nicer, increase property values, and attract new business, which brings new jobs. People that live in nice neighborhoods, are employed, and have enough money to raise a family are far less likely to commit crimes.

According to the Arts Council of Indianapolis, public art can take a variety of forms. Historically, art that is accessible to the public has been in the form of freestanding pieces of work or objects that occupy a public space, such as sculptures and memorials. Now, in a growing number of cities functional objects such as benches, trails, bridges and manhole covers can become commissioned works by artists.

Now those of you who know me, know that I am a big believer in giving back. Whether it’s volunteering someplace, helping someone in need, or contributing something to the community, my motto has always been to try and leave the world better than I found it. So in that same spirit, my question to you this week is “What kind of public art would you create in Indianapolis if money was no object? Where would it be located and what would its message be?"  Think about it! Answers are due no later than Tuesday, August 17th, 2010.

We the Jury...

As I mentioned in class a few weeks ago, I received a jury summons for later this month. Now most people hate when they get the dreaded jury summons in the mail, but I am one of the few people who LOVE jury duty. Doing my civic duty, participating in our judicial process and getting a “free” day off of work, what could be better than that? If I could, I would give up both of my jobs and become a professional juror. Yes, I know, I am a weird political nerd!

Last time I served on a jury was several years ago. I seemed to be the only one on the jury that was excited to be there. Everyone else complained, whined and used every excuse in the book to try and get out of serving, and yes, they all thought I was a weird political nerd too.

With my impending service coming up, it got me thinking about why Americans are so apathetic when it comes to jury service. So my question to you this week is, “Why do you think most Americans don’t want to participate in jury duty? Be honest – would you try and get out of it if you were called? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, August 10th, 2010.

Do We Really Support Our Troops?

A few weeks ago, I was watching an old episode of Boston Legal. My favorite character Alan Shore, played by James Spader, mentioned during a closing argument that in 2009, over 6,000 veterans committed suicide. That seemed like a pretty shocking statistic to me, so I decided to investigate further and what I found was appalling.

In December 2007, a Veteran Affairs (VA) internal memo written by the VA Mental Health Director said that there were 12,000 veterans attempting suicide every year. In addition, there were roughly 18 suicides per day, well over 6,000 per year, and these numbers don’t include servicemen and women on active duty. It seems the writers of Boston Legal got it right this time. The suicide rates are highest among male veterans of our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which means for the most part, we are talking about young men in their twenties. Young men who should have their whole lives ahead of them, but for some reason feel suicide is their only option.

The Chief Clinical Psychologist for the Army Reserve and National Guard cites multiple and extended deployments as the cause. Many veterans return home suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries and/or depression. In many cases the VA has delayed or denied disability and medical claims from veterans because they are unable to prove that these conditions are “service-related”. When I read that, I literally felt sick.

Now I admit I’m not a big fan of our current wars. In fact, I’m not a big fan of war in general. That being said, I respect and honor those individuals who are willing to sacrifice their lives for our safety. I can’t believe that we are asking them to sacrifice so much, only to return to so little. So my question to you this week is, “What should be done to ensure veterans receive proper follow-up care when they return home? What can you personally do to support an Iraq/Afghanistan veteran?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010.

Who is Elena Kagan?

On Tuesday, Elena Kagan moved one step closer to becoming he third woman on the United States Supreme Court when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to endorse her nomination.  The committee's vote sends Kagan's nomination to the full senate for debate and vote.  She is widely expected to win confirmation.  Kagan has already shattered glass ceilings for women in the law.  She was the first woman U.S. Solicitor General and the first woman Dean of Harvard Law School.

In this class we will study the Supreme Court and how they interpret the public policy that governs us all.  Supreme Court justices serve for life, so their views can have an impact far into the future, yet most people know little about them.

My assignment to you this week is two-fold.  First, I would like you to post one interesting fact about Elena Kagan.  You can do this through a quick search on the Internet. You may not post something that has already been mentioned by someone else.  Second, I would like to know, "If you were a Supreme Court Justice, what would be one law that you would want to change in America"?  Answers are due no later than Tuesday, July 27th, 2010.

Bringing Oil to America's Shores

We all know about the Gulf Oil spill which occurred after an explosion at the Deepwater Horizon Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit on April 20, 2010. The explosion killed eleven workers, injured seventeen others and set off what has turned out to be the largest environmental disaster in United States history. Although hearing about the spill is almost unavoidable on the news, it is easy to not give it too much thought when you live in a land-locked state like Indiana.

Recently, I heard a news commentator say that the Gulf of Mexico as we know it, will never been the same again in our lifetime. I immediately thought of my childhood memory of swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf and how excited I was to see such a vast body of water for the first time. For some reason, the effect of the spill really dawned on me that day – and it made me very, very sad.

No one really knows how much oil has been spewing into the Gulf these last few months. The Department of Energy estimates 1.4 million gallons/day, BP estimates a “worst case” scenario of 2.5 million gallons/day and many experts agree it could be as high as 4.2 million gallons/day. At the time of this writing, by the lowest estimates approximately 85 million gallons of oil have spilled in to the Gulf already and that number continues to grow daily. To see current, live feed of the oil spill, please access the following link:
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/view_live_video_feed_of_bp_gul.html

So, my question to you this week is, “How should we go about “cleaning up” this disaster, and what can we do to prevent disasters such as this in the future?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, July 20th, 2010. My heart and prayers go out to our fellow Americans affected by this disaster. To donate to the wildlife rescue, please go to: http://www.nwrawildlife.org/

Your Thoughts and Feedback are Appreciated!

Wow!  I can't believe another quarter has already gone by.  I guess time flies when you're having fun!  I had a really good time this quarter; reconnecting with students I've already had in other courses, and meeting some of you for the first time.  I wish you much success in your future endeavors and hope that you stay in touch with me.

For our final blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class. "What did you like or dislike about the class?  What could I do to make the class better?"  Answers are due no later than Sunday, June 13th, 2010.  After that the blog will be down until summer quarter begins.  Congratulations to those of you who are graduating!  For everyone else, have a happy and safe summer break!

Should Newspapers be Saved?

Recently, we studied how the media affects our political culture and why it is sometimes called the fourth branch of government. The media's influence on politics has always affected how we view our politicians; from the times of the penny press, FDR's fireside chats and the televised Kennedy/Nixon debates. However, it is now possible that some major cities will soon no longer have a newspaper.
In a recent cover story, Times author Walter Issacon notes that although readership is on the rise, fewer consumers are paying. According to a Pew Research study, more people got their news online for free last year, than paid for it by buying newspapers and magazines. The newspapers, which traditionally have counted on sales from subscriptions and newsstands are now only relying on advertising dollars, thus making the content beholden to the advertisers themselves.

Walter Issacon makes a case for charging for the news we access. Whether we pay an online subscription fee for the newspaper of our choice, or we are simply charged a "user fee" for each article we access, Issacon stresses that charging for content might just be the only way to save our newspapers.

You are all creative students, who produce artistic content that I am sure you would like to get paid for, yet at the same time, I am sure many of your access news for free off of the Internet. So my question to you this week is, "Do you think we should be charged for the news we access, and if so, with what kind of fee?". Answers are due Sunday, June 6th, 2010.

Celebrating a 3-Day Weekend? Thank a Veteran!

I have been looking forward to the three-day weekend coming up for a long time. We always get together as a family and have a big cook-out. The pools re-open, I get a free day off of work and more importantly, summer begins!

It dawned on me as I sat down to write this post, that the true meaning of Memorial day is often lost. Most people know that Memorial Day is to honor soldiers who have died in combat, but did you know that a national moment of remembrance, in the form of a moment of silence, takes place at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time? Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Many people observe the holiday by visiting graves and cemeteries to honor family members who have died. Hundreds of volunteers place American flags on veteran grave sites across the country.

Both of my grandpa's are WWII veterans. I remember how seriously my grandma took Memorial Day and her responsibilities to honor my grandpa, the flag and our country. I realize that those duties have been lost on my generation, in lieu of BBQ, beer and the Indy 500. It made me realize that it is time to step up to the plate. So, this weekend, I pledge to do something to honor my grandpa's and others who have died in service of this country. My question to you this week is "How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Do you do anything to honor it's true meaning?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 30th, 2010. To those of you that have volunteered to serve our country so that life is better for all of us - I honor and salute you! Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

What's Been Happening in Arizona and Could It Happen Here?

Last month, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer passed the strictest immigration law in the country, which will go into effect July 29, 2010. The act makes it a misdemeanor crime for an alien to be in Arizona without carrying legal documents. It obligates police to, when practicable; determine a person’s immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is an illegal alien. Police may arrest a person if there is probable cause that the person is an alien not in possession of required registration documents. This legislation has started a national debate on illegal immigration. The ACLU, National Immigration Law Center, NAACP and other civil-rights groups say the law, “encourages racial profiling, endangers public safety and betrays American values”. The mayor of Los Angeles has called for a boycott of Arizona businesses. Supporters of the law say that the law is simply enforcing federal law, and that it is necessary to crack down on illegal immigrants crossing our borders.

Last week, Governor Brewer also signed a bill targeting The Tucson Unified School District's ethnic studies programs. The Tucson Unified School District offers courses in African-American, Mexican-American and Native American studies, focusing on history, literature and the influence of a particular ethnic group. The law prohibits classes that advocate ethnic solidarity, are designed for students of a particular race, or promote resentment towards a certain ethnic group. United Nations human rights experts condemned the measure saying in part, “All people should have the right to learn about their own cultural heritage”.

So my question to you this week is “What are your opinions of both piece of legislation? Would you want similar legislation in Indiana? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 23rd, 2010. You must discuss both piece of legislation to earn full credit. I also encourage you to contact the governor and tell her what you think! You can email her at:  http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp

Should the United States Torture?

Wow! I leave town for one week and it seems the news wire just went crazy. First, there was the oil spill in the Gulf, which as of this writing is still spilling thousands of gallons of oil into the water. Then, there was the flooding in Tennessee, leaving the town of Nashville under water and eerily reminiscent of New Orleans. Finally, there was the attempted terrorist bombing in Times Square. As I watched all of this from my hotel in Albuquerque, I couldn’t wait to get back and post something on the blog. The attempted bombing got me thinking about something I had previously blogged about and I decided to re-post this week. Now that we have the terrorist suspect in custody – what will happen to him?

In August 2009, the CIA released their 2004 inspector general’s report revealing the full extent of harsh methods used on terror suspects. The report found that CIA investigators routinely staged mock executions, and used power drills, guns, and waterboarding techniques to extract information from the detainees.

These “enhanced interrogation techniques” have caused moral, ethic and legal debates across the country. President Obama has gone so far as to call some of these techniques “torture”. As the debate rages on, many feel is boils down to one question, “Did the harsh methods like waterboarding cause terrorist suspects to give up valuable information?” Like so many things in Washington, it depends on who you ask.

The program’s defenders, most notably former Vice President Dick Cheney have long claimed that the detainees broke down under the coercive techniques and gave up crucial tips. The information they provided helped foil imminent terrorist plots against the United States, and thus saved American lives. One the other hand, the inspector general’s report says it “did not uncover any evidence that these plots were imminent.” The report also raises the fundamental questions of whether the interrogators needed to use enhanced techniques at all. The report states that at least in some instances, they were used “without justification.”

So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of the ‘torture’ debate? Should the United States engage in these practices if it means keeping us safe?” Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 16th, 2009.

You Don't Know Jack!

This weekend, I watched the HBO movie, “You Don’t Know Jack” starting Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Dr. Kevorkian or “Dr. Death” as he is sometimes called in the media claims to have assisted 130 terminally ill patients with ending their life. In each case, the terminally ill individual took the final action resulting in death. Dr. Kevorkian assisted them by attaching them to intravenous drips or devices that once pushed, released drugs that would end the patient’s life. Dr. Kevorkian’s crusade to legalize physician-assisted suicide caused a massive controversy with some calling him a killer, and others calling him the most empathic physician they had ever known.

In November 1998, Dr. Kevorkian allowed 60 Minutes to air a videotape of a voluntary euthanasia. In the video, the patient voluntarily gives his consent at which time Dr. Kevorkian administers a lethal injection. This video was significant, because it was the first time Dr. Kevorkian administered the lethal dose himself. He was subsequently charged and convicted on second-degree murder and served eight years in prison.

I have to admit, I felt conflicted watching this movie. All four of my grandparents suffered for years with terminal illness. I know first-hand what it is like to watch someone you love suffer, with no hope for a cure. Had there been a way to end their suffering, I know for sure I would’ve thought about it. As Dr. Kevorkian said “We don’t let our animals suffer, why do we let our fellow human beings”? That being said, as I watched the movie, I kept coming back to my faith. In the end, I just can’t justify taking someone’s life or assisting someone in taking their own. For me, it feels too much like “playing God”.

So my question to you this week is “What do you think of physician-assisted suicide? Should it be allowed? If so, in what cases?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, May 4th, 2010. Please note the change in the deadline because I will be out of town. There will be no new blog post the week that I am gone. The blog will resume with a new post on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010.

What Makes Punishment "Cruel and Unusual"?

Today marks the fifteenth anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City.  Motivated by his hatred of the United States government, Timothy McVeigh detonated an explosive filled truck parked beside the building, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring 600 more.  324 buildings in the area were also damaged by the blast, resulting in $652 million worth of property damage.  Prior to September 11th, 2001, this was the most destructive terrorist attack on U.S. soil. To those affected personally by the Oklahoma City bombing, my thoughts and prayers go out to you today.

Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to die by lethal injection.  He was executed in 2001 in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.  His co-conspirator, Terry Nichols is serving multiple life sentences.  In a few weeks, we will discuss the 8th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the concept of "cruel and unusual punishment" and how it relates to the death penalty. So, my question to you this week is "Do you think the death penalty is an appropriate form of punishment?  Why or why not?  When should the death penalty be used?"  Answers are due no later than Sunday, April 25th, 2010.  Don't forget to sign your name to receive full credit.  Happy Earth Day - April 22nd, 2010!!

All You Need is Love?

In this class we will discuss same sex marriage, and whether or not gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights when it comes to marriage as everyone else. For this week’s blog, I would like to expand on that issue and discuss same sex adoptions.
Efforts to ban gay and lesbian couples from adoption are heating up all across America. Florida has banned same sex adoptions since 1977. In Mississippi, gay singles can adopt but gay couples can not. In Utah, all un-married couples are banned from adoption. Currently, sixteen additional states are considering bans of same sex adoptions, including Indiana.
Opponents of same sex adoptions, often say that children being raised with same-sex parents will have psychological issues, be bullied or teased at school, have unclear gender role models and perhaps even become gay or lesbian themselves.
Supporters of same sex adoptions include the National Adoption Center, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Pediatrics, all of which state that adoptions by gay or lesbian couples do not negatively affect children.
The issue of same sex adoption is one that inspires debate across America and will probably be left up to the courts to decide, however one thing is clear: we all want what is best for our children. So my question to you this week is, “What do you think of same sex adoptions? Why do you feel the way you do?” Answers are due by Sunday, April 18th. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to file your taxes!

Live Free or Die!

This week in class we will begin our study of the Constitution. The United States Constitution is widely recognized and studied as one of the most democratic documents ever written. Most of the freedoms that make us uniquely American can be found in the United States Constitution.

You can order your own free copy of the United States Constitution from: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?section=bookstore&page=freeCopy.cfm

So, this week I started thinking about what freedoms I value most. Celebrating Easter this past weekend with my family, made me realize how grateful I am for freedom of religion. We are very blessed to live in a country where we are free to practice or not practice our religion as we see fit.

So, my question to you this week is, “What freedoms do you value the most? Why are they important to you?” In addition, I would like you to take a short quiz on the Constitution and include your score and results in your answer. Your score on the quiz will not affect your grade.

The quiz can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/index.cfm?page=quiz.cfm

Answers are due by Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Your Thoughts and Feedback are Appreciated!

Whenever I sit down to write these final blog posts, I can never believe that another quarter has already gone by. You all make me realize why I love my job! I have enjoyed getting to know all of you, and I hope you can say you learned something from this class.


So for our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class. What did you like or dislike? What could I do to make the class better? Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 25th, 2010. After that, the blog will be down until the next quarter resumes. I wish you all much success and happiness in the future. Perhaps I will have you again in another course, if so, I look forward to it. Please stay in touch, enjoy the break and have a Happy Easter!

Are We Really One Nation Under God?

This week we will begin a discussion on First Amendment freedoms, which of course, includes freedom of religion. I make no secret of my faith. That being said, I believe strongly in the concept of everyone being free to practice their faith how they choose. I recognize that what I believe may not be what every other American believes. Having the freedom to practice our religion is one of the things that makes us uniquely American, and something that we often take for granted.

Last week the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments the words violate the separation of church and state doctrine in the First Amendment. Writing for the majority, Judge Carlos Bea stated, "The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation, through proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded". In a separate ruling, the appeals court upheld the inscription of the national motto "In God We Trust" on coins and currency, saying that the phrase is ceremonial and patriotic, not religious.

Locally, the valedictorian at Greenwood High School is asking a federal judge to stop a graduation prayer that the senior class voted to approve. His lawsuit argues that both the prayer and the vote unconstitutionally subject religious practice to majority rules.

So my question to you this week is, "Do you think commencement prayers violate the First Amendment? Why or why not? Would you have a problem being exposed to a prayer from another religion in school?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 18th, 2010. Being an Irish girl myself, I would like to wish all of you a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!

Can abortions be called genocide?

Next week in class we will discuss abortion, as well as equal rights under the law. So this week, when I heard a popular radio show discussing abortion in the African-American community, I knew I wanted to blog about the issue. To be honest, I’ve never really thought about abortion in terms of race. Abortion is controversial enough on its own. However, consider these staggering statistics:

• More African-Americans have died from abortion than have died from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer and heart disease combined.
• African-Americans comprise 13% of the population, yet African-American women have 35% of abortions in this country.
• The African-American abortion rate is three times higher than the national average and four times higher than the rate for Caucasian women.
• Since Roe V. Wade 17 million African-American babies have been aborted, reducing the potential African-American population by a third.
• Almost as many African-American babies are aborted as born.

Called modern-day genocide by some, many say African-American abortions are higher because organizations that offer abortions are mainly located in African-American neighborhoods. For example, Planned Parenthood has 80% of its facilities in minority neighborhoods, making it easier for some to access abortion doctors. Others say these young men and women need to take responsibility for their own actions. Just because abortions are available, shouldn’t make the need for one increase.

So my question to you this week is “Why do you think abortions are so much higher in the African-American community? Do these abortion clinics provide a needed service, or do they encourage stunted African-American population growth?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 11th, 2010.

P.S. Recently, I was asked to make the blog questions more controversial. I won’t call you out by name, but you know who you are. This one’s for you!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

There is no question that the healthcare debate is in full swing.  There is also no question that as the debate rages on, Americans are left feeling more and more confused. From managed care to single payer options, average Americans are having a hard time even understanding what President Obama's groundbreaking healthcare plan is all about.  Add that to the countless conflicting media reports and one sees why more and more Americans are feeling that their government is not getting anything done.

Recently, we discussed the role the media plays in politics and why it is often called the fourth branch of the government.  For the blog this week, I would first like you to review several sources of coverage on President Obama's healthcare plan.  My question to you this week is, “What bias do you see in the media sources that you accessed? Were you able to find two different sources that contradicted one another?” You must access at least two sources and name them in your post to get full credit.  Answers are due no later than Thursday, March 4th, 2010.  Don't forget to sign you name and class session to receive credit!

Good old fashion values....Lucky there's a family guy!?

It used to be that if you were watching an animated series, you were probably a child. All that changed in 1989, when The Simpson’s began airing in prime-time. Since then, animated series such as South Park, Boondocks and Family Guy have all had success on major networks. The shows cater to adults by providing commentary on social issues, politics and religion through use of humor. These shows provide us a way to laugh at subjects that are usually serious, and although funny, the shows oftentimes provide a little truth too.


I still remember the South Park episode in which they depicted Osama Bin Laden making a “Message to the Americans”. The events of September 11th remain a terrible tragedy in the minds of most, but somehow South Park found a way to make it funny. Family Guy has an episode in which Peter makes his own country and throws a party for Slobodan Milosevic, Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein. I would never condone the atrocities committed by these men, but I found myself laughing all the same.

However, some critics say these shows take comedy too far. Recently, Sarah Palin lashed out at the writers of Family Guy for referring to her youngest son Trig, who has Down syndrome. Calling the episode, “another kick in the gut,” Palin wrote that this episode begs the question: “When is enough, enough?” My own household started boycotting Family Guy after feeling that although the show often kept us laughing, we could no longer support the mockery of our faith. That being said, if we tried to censor everything on television that offended someone, we wouldn’t have anything to watch.

So my question to you this week is “Do you think animated series take things too far in the name of comedy? Do you think they cross the line, or do you think the critics just don’t get the joke?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, February 25th, 2010.

A little bit of sunshine!

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like this has been a weird quarter?  Between holidays that aren't being celebrated on the correct day, snow days, and days that should've been snow days, I feel as though I have revised the syllabus more times than I can count.  So this week, I decided to take a little break from the regular blog post, and post something lighter, just for extra credit.

The Winter Olympics begin tonight!  For those who know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the Olympics.  I love the artistry of the opening ceremonies. I get all caught up in the emotional stories of the athletes who have struggled so hard and overcome so many obstacles just to make their Olympic dreams come true.  I watch sports I've never even heard of before (like curling) and I always, always cheer for the underdog.

So my question to you this week is, "What is your favorite Olympic sport and why?"  This question is voluntary and is for extra credit only.  If you don't have a favorite Olympic sport, you don't have to answer it.  Answers are due no later than Thursday, February 18th, 2010. For those of you in my Friday night class -  enjoy your night off.  For those of you who celebrate - Happy Valentine's Day!  For everyone else - have a great weekend!  The regular blog post will resume next week.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Part 2

This week I would like to re-visit a topic I have posted before, primarily because once again, it has made recent headlines. We have discussed same sex marriage in class and learned how homosexuals have almost no legal protections in the United States. To further expand our discussion I would like to devote this week's blog to examining the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding homosexuals in the military.


The policy was enacted by President Clinton in 1994. President Clinton who initially said he wanted to overturn the ban on homosexuals in the military, ended up compromising for the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The policy makes it illegal for commanders to ask their subordinates about their sexual orientation, and it also bans homosexuals from openly discussing or engaging in openly homosexual behaviors. Over 13,000 troops have been discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy since it was first introduced.

During President Obama's State of the Union Address on January 27, 2010, he stated that he will work with Congress and the military to "finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are." He had made similar statements during previous speeches; however, his State of the Union speech was the first in which he definitively committed to repealing the law on a set timetable. United States citizens can look for a congressional act to repeal the federal law during the 2010 year. Retired General Colin Powell also reversed his opposition to the policy stating “Times have changed since 1993”. Regardless of the outcome of this policy, it is certain to be controversial, with both supporters and opponents fueling the fire.

So, this week my question to you is "Do you think "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy should be overturned? Do you think there should be a new policy regarding homosexuals in the military in its place? Why do you think this is such a controversial issue?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, February 11th, 2009.

Do Unto Others....

Just before 5:00 p.m. on January 12th, a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in Haiti, just 10 miles from the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince. As of this writing, the death toll has been listed as 170,000 however officials have said that the true death toll may never be known, as bodies still lay under the rubble. In the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, countries from around the world rushed to start a massive relief effort. The United States has led the way, with President Obama promising the people of Haiti “You will not be forgotten”. To date, the United States has donated $394,395,253 to the Haiti relief effort. This staggering number reflects the United States government aid, and does not include individual donations raised through foundations such as the Red Cross, Yele Haiti, or UNICEF.

The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to people oversees who are struggling to make a better life, recover from disaster and/or live in a free/democratic country. Spending less than ½ of 1% of the federal budget, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world since shortly after WWII. According to the USAID website, this assistance “supports the foreign policy goals of the United States”.

Helping people out in their time of need seems like the right thing to do. So how has it become so controversial? It light of our own economic problems, some feel the money should be spent right here at home. In addition, many question how the money is spent and to whom it is given. Some of the countries the United States gives aid to might just surprise you: Iran, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Cuba, Afghanistan and North Korea. This causes people to wonder whether the money actually reaches the people who reside there, or if it is given to the governments, many of which we do not politically support.

So my question to you this week is, “Do you think the United States government should continue to provide economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, February 4th, 2010. Be sure to sign your name and designate your class to receive full credit.

President Obama - One Year Later

I would be remiss this week, if I did not devote a portion of the blog to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th, 2010. Next week, I plan to post a question to you regarding United States assistance to countries affected by natural disasters. Until then, if you would like to donate to the relief effort, you can do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.redcross.org/

This week marked the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s inauguration. As I look back on that moment, it seems a lot has changed. I remember the night of the election and the hope that so many seemed to feel. I remember how as I watched his speech in Chicago, it ceased to be about politics for me and became more about living history.

When President Obama took office, he was faced with crisis of epic proportions on both the foreign and domestic front. Within his first year, the President laid out a plan for withdrawing troops from Iraq, while simultaneously increasing troops in Afghanistan. He passed a historic economic stimulus package, and saw our economy slowly start to recover, while unemployment rates remained high. He proposed sweeping healthcare reform legislation, which Congress is still struggling to pass.

As I reflect on President Obama’s first year in office, I am both grateful and disappointed. I am grateful the economy is starting to recover and that so many felt the effects of the stimulus. I am grateful that more “green” programs are available and funding for renewable resources has increased. I am grateful that our image around the world is starting to become more positive. However, the year has also come with disappointments. I am disappointed that unemployment is still so high and healthcare reform has yet to pass. I am disappointed and saddened that lives are still being lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of all, I am disappointed that all the hope we seemed to feel just one year ago, has slipped away and that politics have gone back to the usual. So my question to you this week is “How would you rate President Obama’s first year in office? What have liked or disliked about his policies?” Answers are due no later than Thursday, January 28th, 2010. Make sure you sign your name and designate your class.

A Dream Deferred

As we all know, Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Like everyone else, I enjoy getting a day off, especially one that results in a three-day weekend. That being said, it struck me that having the day off of school or work is hardly honoring Dr. King’s memory. In fact, many times, Rosa Parks, the Montgomery bus boycott and of course, Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, are all students receive when it comes to cultral awareness and diversity.

I never learned about the “Trail of Tears” that Native Americans took west as they were forced off of their land. I never learned about Caesar Chavez and the important work he did on behalf of the migrant worker. I never learned anything about African-American history except what was contained in one to two pages in my history book. Most ironic, I never ever learned anything about Arab-Americans or the Muslim religion. I was a college student before I realized all of the things that had been left out of my education over the years.  It made me wonder what other things had been left out of my studies and more importantly, why?

So for our first blog, in honor of Dr. King, my question to you is, "Do you think our educational system does a good job of educating students when it comes to cultural history?  Why or why not?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, January 21st, 2010. Please make sure that you sign your name and designate your class to receive full credit!