Election Tuesday

Email us at www.kidsvotingrochester@gmail.com if you are wanting to volunteer to help with KidsVote next Tuesday.

What have you learned form this campaign

Read the attached article that adddresses a couple of people's questions. As I read this I wondered about what I had learned from this campaign. Here is my take on election 2008.

2008 Campaign Season

The system is set up to perpetuate the 2 party system...and it is only getting worse. 3rd parties today can't compete with a campaign seaon that gets under way the better part of 2 years before the election date. With the amount of money raised, spent and the effect that campaign spending has on the success of candidates, 3rd parties must feel like Sisyphus (look it up if you don't know the reference). The cost to win elections is tremendous and if you only have limited funds you are left to run ads a few weeks before the election. Good Luck 3rd Parties!

APLGer's: Your task, should you choose to accept it, write a brief summary about 1 thing this campaign season has taught you. Blog early so as you can be the first to report on....
You have until the moment the polls open in Rochester for the General Election to post your entry.

Mr. Thompson

AP sample test

Hi:)

Please add your thesis for the Huxley and Orwell prompt here. Thanks!

Help I don't understand!

Here are a few websites you can go to help you understand where you fit within the political spectrum of Liberal vs Conservative in case you are still struggling, confused or just curious.

The Political Spectrum

The Political Compass

Beyond Red and Blue

How Liberal or Conservative are you?

Take one of these (or more if curious) and then write a quick reflection of what you learned about yourself. Post should be done before we meet again after MEA break.

Enjoy-Mr Thompson

Wednesday Symposium

Wednesday we have our 2nd graded symposium. Bring with you some great questions that you would like the group to ponder about the Constitution Past, Present and in the Future. To give you an idea of what I am describing, here are a few questions of my own. You will come up with better questions I am sure. Besides how will it look if you ask my questions from the blog on Wednesday.

A. Does drug testing at school violate the Constitution?
B. Why didn't the Framers use specific language in the 8th Amendment to deal with capital punishment rather than being so vague?
C. If the state can't protect the right to choose should the state have the right to sterilize?
D. Has 9/11 changed the Constitution informally? Defend your response!
E. Judicial Review was expressed at the convention by 11 of the 55 delegates. 9 agreed with it while 2 dissented. Thus it was left out of the Constitution. Why?

You can address these questions on Wednesday but only if you have done some research to support your response.

See you on Wednesday.
Mr. Thompson

VP Test and Extra-Cred

We have three essential outcomes thus far on our "Pass the VP Test"
1. Know the Bush Doctrine
2. Name a Supreme Court Case in addition to Roe v. Wade
3. Name a source for news you read

Tune in tonight for additional topics. And, for extra-credit: Identify a rhetorical technique used during the VP debate. If you can't watch it (like me), feel free to find them from the transcript. Stay away from "He was explicit when he said" and focus more on "She used anaphora when. . ." or "He used appeal to tradition when. . ." Up to two examples per student.