Amendments 12, 13, 14, & 15 are often referred to as a major turning point in US government policy. Explain the importance of these amendments:
The 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th amendments of the constitution are considered to be extremely crucial because it lead to the US’s change as a government. They introduced the Electoral College and the abolishment of slavery. For many years the white people had all the power, when these amendments where passed the American citizens of color to have more freedom mainly putting and end to slavery. The 12 Amendment changed how both the president and vice president became elected. Instead of electing a president and vice president together they made the decision to put them on separate ballots. Now a day the president makes the decision on who is appointed vice president.
The 13TH, 14TH and 15th amendment are the ones that allowed the United States citizens freedom. When slavery was abolished things seemed to become more diverse, the government now seems to consist of a few different races and backgrounds (Obama). The 14th amendment states that laws can’t be made that rob people of their lives and freedom, the 15th amendment stated that all citizens of any race had the right to vote but women were not allowed that privilege yet. Every amendment was a milestone in American history because they were the first amendments that allowed all citizens (with the exception of women) to be somewhat equal, attempting to bring the country closer.
Why do you suppose these amendments were passed when they were - given how popular white supremacy has been in the US?
I think that the amendments where passed around that time because although race was still a heavy weighing issue people were starting to realize that slavery would not last forever. Minorities began to stand up for themselves making it known they too had a voice to be heard. For many years it was the whites that had total control and dictated to everyone “below them”. I think Martin Luther King Jr played a large part in the process of getting equal rights for all people. During the movement, he referred frequently to the constitution and relied on it to help get the idea across to people that all people no matter race should be treated equal. Minorities showed their determination to be free, and probably helped to make it known that many of them weren’t scared of breaking the rules anymore. Although White supremacy was still to be feared, it was slowly becoming less of a threat. Things were changing in the world, and people began to realize that they deserved to have rights that whites only had. More and more Black leaders and speakers began to immerge. Although it would be nice to say we now live in a time where the race card is not played that is not the reality. It has without a doubt become much better but I don’t think it will ever go away completely.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wal-Mart Worker Trampled Analysis
A few days ago the class discussed an article about a Wal-Mart worker that was trampled to death by impatient shoppers on black Friday. Relating this to the AWOL I came to the conclusion that consumption has become a competition. Thousands of people lined up in front of Wal-Mart in long island all for the same reason, buy as much as possible for the least amount of money. If thousands lined up in front of a normal everyday Wal-Mart in a small town, imagine how many of people were followed in there foot steps and did the same all over America for every mega "super-sale" store. It has become part of our culture: showering family and friends with gifts as a way of showing our love and affection for them. Companies plan months in advance strategizing how they are gonna draw in as many costumers come holiday season, promoting big sales and buy one get one free items. I don't think many people realize they have fallen into the trap, they are buying things they might never had thought of buying before until they realized it was on "sale", in reality they are spending more money than saving. The fact that a innocent Wal-Mart Worker was killed because people where in a race and cared more about racking up as many materialistic things they could get there hands on shows that this obsession has gone a little too far. It is a never-ending cycle, because our generation has been raised in this type of society they will most likely grow up the same way, falling into the same trap of consumerism. It shows what a greedy and money hungry society we live in, people will do anything to save a few buck and companies will do anything to make as much money off of them as possible.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
PART B CONTINUED :
Regarding the “Full Faith & Credit” provision in Article 4. How does it affect Gay marriage?
In article four of the constitution it states that congress is responsible for letting each state have their own laws and take their own legal actions, meaning that each state can have different laws and actions from other states. Congress gives each state the freedom to make some of their own laws, regarding gay marriage, it has been a controversy, as of now Connecticut and Massachusetts are the only two states that allow it. California once allowed it but just recently banned it. Does that mean the couples that were once legally married are no longer? They are allowed to get married in the state that allows gay marriages, and it would be considered a legit marriage, but only for that state. The downside to this is because it only applies to each individual state, if someone were to go get married in a state that allows gay marriages, than move out of that state, or go somewhere else. In the new state they relocated to, they would not be considered a legit couple.
In article four of the constitution it states that congress is responsible for letting each state have their own laws and take their own legal actions, meaning that each state can have different laws and actions from other states. Congress gives each state the freedom to make some of their own laws, regarding gay marriage, it has been a controversy, as of now Connecticut and Massachusetts are the only two states that allow it. California once allowed it but just recently banned it. Does that mean the couples that were once legally married are no longer? They are allowed to get married in the state that allows gay marriages, and it would be considered a legit marriage, but only for that state. The downside to this is because it only applies to each individual state, if someone were to go get married in a state that allows gay marriages, than move out of that state, or go somewhere else. In the new state they relocated to, they would not be considered a legit couple.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
PART B:
What role does religion play in the way our government is run, What is the significance of the “No religious test”?
In the constitution, it states that the supreme law of the land is that all of the decisions are made under the authority of the United States of America. Nothing is based on religion and no test has to be taken in order for a person to qualify for a job in the US office. If this was the case for every situation I think things would be a lot different then they are. This law is supposed to show how the Untied State is not only based on a dominant religion, when Bush was elected president he made the separation between church and state extremely hard to find. Supposedly it does not keep anyone who is not of the prominent religion in the United out of office. It also allows citizens that currently live in the US; practice any religion they choose because there are no consequences. It will not affect them negatively and they can pursue a career in a office of the United States. I think religion had been a huge part of the AWOL for thousands of years and has become a trap, when this law was written I think it was just a cover up tricking people to think that they could believe in anything they wanted and not be effected, but people are judged all the time and discriminated against because of religion preference and beliefs. The constitution was written not to be like any other country assuring people that they were given freedom one of them being the tight to choose and live by their religion.
Why are there exceptions regarding the 4Th Amendment? Do you think it is ok for people to be searched randomly in public places?
According to the constitution, the fourth amendment states that the government is not permitted to search a person’s house or take a person’s items with a good reason and a warrant. I think a persons privacy should be respected but I believe it can be broken to ensure the safety of other people/citizens. My only objection is that when the law was written it should have been made more specific, it clearly states that random searches are not allowed. After 9/11 security became more intense and while traveling places more and more random searches started. They were not searching people’s items to make it any less convenient or to intentionally invade their privacy. It was done to ensure the safety of the people around them. Events and situations have taken place in the United States that left a lot of people shaken: terrorist bombings and many alleged plots for future attacks on the US. Looking closely you could conclude that there are exceptions being made towards the 4Th amendment but the reason why are acceptable.
In the constitution, it states that the supreme law of the land is that all of the decisions are made under the authority of the United States of America. Nothing is based on religion and no test has to be taken in order for a person to qualify for a job in the US office. If this was the case for every situation I think things would be a lot different then they are. This law is supposed to show how the Untied State is not only based on a dominant religion, when Bush was elected president he made the separation between church and state extremely hard to find. Supposedly it does not keep anyone who is not of the prominent religion in the United out of office. It also allows citizens that currently live in the US; practice any religion they choose because there are no consequences. It will not affect them negatively and they can pursue a career in a office of the United States. I think religion had been a huge part of the AWOL for thousands of years and has become a trap, when this law was written I think it was just a cover up tricking people to think that they could believe in anything they wanted and not be effected, but people are judged all the time and discriminated against because of religion preference and beliefs. The constitution was written not to be like any other country assuring people that they were given freedom one of them being the tight to choose and live by their religion.
Why are there exceptions regarding the 4Th Amendment? Do you think it is ok for people to be searched randomly in public places?
According to the constitution, the fourth amendment states that the government is not permitted to search a person’s house or take a person’s items with a good reason and a warrant. I think a persons privacy should be respected but I believe it can be broken to ensure the safety of other people/citizens. My only objection is that when the law was written it should have been made more specific, it clearly states that random searches are not allowed. After 9/11 security became more intense and while traveling places more and more random searches started. They were not searching people’s items to make it any less convenient or to intentionally invade their privacy. It was done to ensure the safety of the people around them. Events and situations have taken place in the United States that left a lot of people shaken: terrorist bombings and many alleged plots for future attacks on the US. Looking closely you could conclude that there are exceptions being made towards the 4Th amendment but the reason why are acceptable.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Reflection on Thanksgiving and Black Friday/Buy Nothing Day '08
After the conversation we had in class the Wednesday before Thanksgiving day break we discussed what the meaning behind it was and how it relates to the "typical" American way of life. It came up numerous times that we are celebrating family and it is a day dedicated to being thankful for everything you are given but that the reality is that, it was the day genocide started between the Pilgrims and the Indians, where were all slaughtered to death. For my family it is not so much a celebrating of that day but more a celebration of my grandfathers death who passed on thanksgiving many years ago. Its an excuse for my dad to cook and have lots of there friends and out family together. I really enjoyed this thanksgiving more than most cause I realized how to appreciate my family and their friends more, i might actually have "cool" parents. I was really surprised to find out how many of the people at my house knew about buy nothing day and the organization they run. I am surrounded by the artsy type that don't fall easily into that trap (maybe I should learn from them a little more). Although I did not set out to buy stuff on black Friday, I found it sad how desperate people where to get their hands on the best sale possible. Consumption has become a competition and everyone just wants to find a sale to feel better about the money they are spending. It is all a trap the money hungry companies send millions and millions or people promotions or sales to encourage people to spend money they might not have in the first place. When I was walking (at least trying to) across 34th street all I could see where thousands of people, I felt i had lost a sense of freedom, literally being trapped in that crowd and pushed where ever direction the shoppers where going.It made me realize how not worth it, it really is and I don't plan on going next year.
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