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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, November 8, 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!
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!
Monday, November 1, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, October 25, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, October 18, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, October 11, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, October 4, 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.
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.
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