Friday, April 9, 2010
Hi All,
Well, we're back in full swing! For the next five weeks students will be examining the role that individuals play in government for our unit on the Constitution. Over the coming weeks students will be working on a Living Constitution Project in which each student will create a blog and then write 15 blog entries about specific principles found in the Constitution and how those principles relate to our modern society.
The entries will be part citation, part fact-finding, and part opinion/analysis. Students should think of themselves as Constitutional journalists who are out there to fact-check our politicians and media. It should be a good platform for students to show their creativity, let their voices be heard, and demonstrate their civic responsibilities.
I've posted a sample entry below for you and students to check out. The project will begin on Monday and end on, or around May 14th. I encourage you to look at student blogs once they're up and please feel free to post your own opinions with supportive or constructive feedback. I'm looking forward to having fun with this project!
Mr. Pond
Well, we're back in full swing! For the next five weeks students will be examining the role that individuals play in government for our unit on the Constitution. Over the coming weeks students will be working on a Living Constitution Project in which each student will create a blog and then write 15 blog entries about specific principles found in the Constitution and how those principles relate to our modern society.
The entries will be part citation, part fact-finding, and part opinion/analysis. Students should think of themselves as Constitutional journalists who are out there to fact-check our politicians and media. It should be a good platform for students to show their creativity, let their voices be heard, and demonstrate their civic responsibilities.
I've posted a sample entry below for you and students to check out. The project will begin on Monday and end on, or around May 14th. I encourage you to look at student blogs once they're up and please feel free to post your own opinions with supportive or constructive feedback. I'm looking forward to having fun with this project!
Mr. Pond
Sample Blog Post:
Source: "Senators voice doubts on nuke treaty with Russia." April 9, 2010
Constitutional Connection:
Article II, Section 2: "[The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur[The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur"
Analysis of the Connection:
The founding fathers gave limited powers to the executive branch of government because they were fearful of another monarch or tyrant coming to power. Still, the founders recognized that strong, central leadership was necessary in order to make decisive decisions, otherwise the U.S. could face another rebellion such as the one led by Daniel Shays.
The founders compromised on the power of the president by creating a system of checks and balances. The president would have the constitutional power to make treaties, but the Senate must ratify them with a 2/3rds majority vote--to prevent a tyranny of a simple majority.
Obama and Medvedez sign START Treaty in Prague
In the article "Senators voice doubts on nuke treaty with Russia," Arizona Republicans John McCain and John Kyl voice their concerns over the START Treaty recently signed by President Obama and Russian President Dimitri Medvedev. Both senators are concerned that the treaty may weaken the U.S.' ability to defend itself from hostile nations or terrorists.
I for one, disagree. I think Jon Stewart said it best on yesterday's Daily Show when he proclaimed "so the U.S. and Russia have now reduced their nuclear stockpiles to only just over 1,500 for each country. That's only enough to blow up the entire world 7-12 times!" Frankly, the START Treaty is just that...a start...as it was when it was first signed in 1991. The real goal should be the elimination of nuclear weapons altogether, but the chances of that occuring in this climate of partisanship are unlikely.
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