BR 4/14/14
I would like to be a preschool teacher, their starting salary is 32,500 and their average salary is 44,260.

BR 4/10/14
$500 month budget:
$250- utility bills, I need a place to live and keep up with the expenses.
$125- food, I need to eat to survive
$50- gas, I need to be able to transport myself
$75- miscellaneous, restaurants/shopping

BR 4/8/14
The article is basically saying that minimum wage will be raised to $10.50. He will be signing the bills next week hoping it will pass. If they do he believes people will be able to make an honest living. Which sounds good until everything else in the world prices will sky rocket.

Citizen Test
17 out of 25

BR 4/7/14

1. Speak English. It doesn't have to be fluent, but they need to answer/understand basic questions and conversation.
2. Willing to work and maintain a job.
3. I think they should pass some sort of test, but not as in depth as the one we have now. They will not pass with anything lower than a 75%.

Assignment 4/3/14
a. Who?
b.What did he or she do?
c.When did he or she live?
d. Where did he or she live?
e. Why did he or she do what he or she did?
f. How did he or she live during segregation

1.) The peoples faces reflect that they are here to help and that people might want their help so they should probably stop discriminating them.
2.) I feel like this could happen today with all of the gun control issues. Some people think that we shouldn't be allowed to have guns, but I feel they do more good than damage.
3.) The Indians are standing there, to me, looks like they are standing their ground and what they believe in.
4.) During this time, America was trying to discriminate against the Indians because they owned so much land and were very violent.

BR 4/2/14
I think the hardest part of the discrimination project will be listening to everyone's negative opinions, or really just opinion that I don't agree with. It just makes me mad to have to listen to people talk about how whites are better than blacks, or Hispanics need to go back to where they came from, etc. I don't agree with it, nor do I want to hear it.

Chapter 21 Notes

4/1/14
Heterogenous: different people, cultures, etc.
Immigrants: legal aliens that move to another country
Reservation: public land given to the Indians from the government.
Refugee: move for protection purposes.
Assimilation: adapting to another culture.

4/2/14
Population of the US is mostly white.
Immigrants have arrived in near record numbers every since the 1960s.
Populations that have grown: African American, Hispanic American, Asian American.
Minority populations exceed white populations in: California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Texas.
There are more females than males in the US
African Americans:

• They have been the victims of consistent and deliberate unjust treatment for a longer time.
• They are 14% of all American population
• Most of the gains in discriminations have been made by African Americans

Native Americans:

• When American settlers arrived in the mid 1600s and nearly a million of then were Native Americans.
• American Settlers brought diseases that the Indian Population was not used too.
• Poverty, Joblessness, and alcoholism still plague Indian tribes.
• Passed The Indian Education Act of 1972, which still isn't working to their benefit.
• Higher infant mortality rate.

Hispanic Americans:

• Spanish speaking background.
• Largest minority group today 50 million in the US
• Four subgroups: Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, Central and South Americans.

Asian Americans:

• Came for employment
• Chinese laborers were the first Asians to come to America in large numbers in the 1850 & 1086s.
• WWII all Japanese were evacuated to the Pacific Coast, even native born.
• Congress eventually admitted this was wrong and unjust
• Women were treated unfairly; education, property rights, and employment opportunities.
• It is illegal to pay women less than men

4/7/14
Those who oppose Civil Rights often believe you cant change mortality by passing a law.
1870s-1950s: no meaningful legislation passed in regards to civil rights.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964: passed after the longest debate in Senate history (83 days) Made changes in:

• Voting provisions
• Public Services
• Federal Funding Programs
• Employers and labor union

Civil Rights Act of 1968: aka "Open Housing Act" - cannot refuse selling/rent living space to a person due to race, religion, national origin, physical disability, etc.
Title IX: forbids discrimination on the basis of gender in any educational program or programming regarding financial assistance.

Affirmative Action:

• Requires employers take positive steps to fix the affects of past discrimination
• Employers must meet quotas for minority groups/genders
• Many argue this results un reverse discrimination: discrimination against the majority group.
• "Color blind"
• California, Washington, Michigan, and Nebraska voters passed measures to eliminate all affirmative action plans

Bakke Case:
*Allan Bakke sued the University of California because he was denied access to their medical school due to Affirmative Action (16/100 seats were reserved for minority students)
* He won the case

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor predicts in 25 years, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary.

4/8/14
An American citizen is a person that swears allegiance to the U.S. and is entitled to its protection and privileges of its laws.
The 14th amend. was the first constitutional definition: "All persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the U.S. and of the State wherein they reside."
The constitution declares becoming a American citizen by birth or naturalization.
Naturalization: legal process by which a person can become a citizen of another country some time after birth. Congress has exclusive power to provide for naturalization. (normally done individually)
Collective Naturalization: entire group can be granted citizenship through en masse. This normally happens when the U.S gains a territory. They are naturalized by an act or treaty.

Loss of Citizenship:

• You have the right to abandon your citizenship through Expatriation.
• It is illegal for Congress to take away citizenship.
• Naturalized can lose their citizenship through denaturalization- only occurs by a court after proof of foraged papers/cheating on test.
• Marriage does not make a person a citizen: only shortens the process of naturalization.

Immigration:

•  Congress has power to regulate with inward & outward immigrants
• Quotas for immigration
• Immigration act of 1965- did away with the quota system. immigrants are allowed in the US each year.
• Immigration act of 1990: governs the admission of aliens in the US
• Some are denied: criminals, mentally ill who might harm, etc.
• Deportation- legal process in which aliens must leave the country

BR 4/1/14
I don't think it should be mandatory. I think it could make a difference for some people, but not for everyone. They should be able to try it and see if they like it, and if they do, awesome; if they don't, they shouldn't have to have it.

BR 3/31/14
    I definitely think that racism is still an issue in 2014, and that really makes me mad. Like, why are we STILL doing it? People who are still racist, prejudice, and don't support gay marriage, or judge people who live their lives differently from them just need to give it up. Being racist or having any other negative attitude on these topics are putting up a fight that won't be won. Who cares if someone is black, white, Hispanic, or whatever? They are still humans. I don't want to offend anyone, but I honestly believe that people that have this attitude towards these topics, the world would be a better place without them.

BR 3/27/14
No, I don't think that Justices should serve for life. Since we really don't know, we need to leave it to the experienced people.

BR 3/24/14
There is an outbreak of Ebola in Guinea. The Guinean Health Ministry said that the disease is mainly spread from infected people, from objects belonging to ill or dead people, and by the consumption of meat from animals in the bush. Most of the cases have been in the forest area of southern Guinea, and health officials say they are offering free treatment for all patients.

Supreme Court Cases 3/21/14

Religion:
The government must stay out of hiring and firing decisions by a religious organization, even if a minister sues for employment discrimination. Cheryl Perich was a Michigan teacher who had been employed by a school run by the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and she was fired. She became ill with narcolepsy and went on disability. The congregation voted to pay a portion of her health insurance premiums in exchange for her resignation. She refused to step down and returned to work, only to be told she must leave and that she would likely be fired. The court ruled that the case could not go forward.

School System:
The Supreme Court was weighing on whether or not to have graduation ceremonies in churches. The appeal court said it goes too far to have graduation in an "endorsement" of a particular religion. Nine students and parents said they were uncomfortable having it in a church only in Christianity, and that they should think about having graduation in a Jewish temple and see how everyone felt.  The justices have considered the case at their weekly conferences but taken no action, raising the chances the appeal will be turned down.

Minority:
This case was about a white woman who applied to the University of Texas and did not get accepted because what she thinks, is due to her color. She said that she was higher in her class and she was in more activities than some people who got accepted, she stated that the only known difference was the color of their skin. Texas' argument was that they wanted diversity in the University.

Notes 3/20/14

• 12 judicial districts
• Alien Terrorist Remove Court (5 year terms)
• FISA (7 year terms)
• District Courts don't hear cases that automatically qualify for the Supreme Court
• Criminal Case= crime against you
• Decisions made in the federal district court are final; the cases start & end there
• Courts of Appeals were created by congress to relieve the Supreme Court of hearing all appealed cases
• Each court has 6-28 judges
• Court of International Trade is a federal trial court

Assignment 3/19/14
Ground Floor:
1.) Fling room is where 8,000 petitions are sent each year hoping their cases are granted.
2.) The Press Room is visited when the Supreme Court shares opinions.
First Floor:
1.) The East Conference Room is used for events of the Court.
2.) The Great Hall is used as a memorial services for deceased Justices.
Second Floor:
1.) Justices Dining Room is used for having lunch on the day of Oral Argument.
2.) John Marshall dining room is a private room is just for justices, it shows portraits of people and some cases.
Third Floor:
1.) SC Library is a private room for the Supreme Court and members of the Supreme Court bar.
2.) The library holds all the volumes of State and Federal Law.

BR 3/19/14
I'm just not sure I understand how a plane "disappears." That word doesn't fit with what happened. I don't think it disappeared, I think someone hi-jacked it or had some terrible plan for the people on the flight since it deliberately changed direction. I feel like we can assume that the people are dead, or severely injured.

BR 3/18/14
1.) After the Olympics there was conflict in Ukraine because they didn't like their president. Russia brought forces in to "protect" them. Citizens of Ukraine went to vote on if the natural resource place should separate from Ukraine, while they were voting there were soldiers with huge guns.
2.) No, the U.S needs to worry about their own problems.

BR 3/12/14
1.) The radar on the plane was shut off.
2.) Terrorists/Hi-Jacking
     Mechanical problems
     Pilot issues

BR 3/11/14
1.) Yes, they should always put people first. Not only because it's the right thing to do, the child really needs the medicine to live.
2.) I think the government should be able to give people the medicine they need.

Campaign Ads
2012
1.) The ad is targeting Americans.
2.) Positive.
3.) It could give some more information, but for the short ad that is was it gave us and opportunity to think about the message being delivered.
4.) This ad was fairly recent, so I feel that it would be portrayed pretty similar with a few updates.
5.) No, because I don't feel like the ad gave enough insight or his positive opinion to get affect my vote.

2008
1.) McCain is targeting Obama on education.
2.) Negative.
3.) It does deliver its message.
4.) It would still portray the same idea today.
5.) I wouldn't have voted for McCain just because I feel he is a better candidate.

1996
1.) All Americans.
2.) Positive.
3.) Yes, because it tells how we as a nation can make our home better.
4.) I don't think this ad would have been any different in 2014.
5.) This ad would have made me vote for Clinton.

BR 3/10/14
1.) There are only a couple of things important in the budget, if any.
2.) I think tax payers benefit the most.

Lecture Notes 3/7/14

1.) Differences in choices of delegates between Republican and Democratic Parties
2.) Two different types of primaries: Delegate Selection Primary & Candidate Preference Primary
3.) Moved to proportional representation; 15% of more receives delegates in proportion to their votes
4.) A closed meeting of a political party which gather to select delegates to the national convention
5.) Convention Schedule- Day 2: adopt platform, keynote address
6.) Typically the current president is nominated

Lecture Notes 3/6/14

1.) Originally cast 2 electoral votes
2.) Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson each got 73 votes
3.) 12th amendment separated the elections of president and vice president

BR 3/5/14
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of Treasury 

BR 2/28/14
I don't think it is a violation of freedom of speech because this is no different from the other rules we have to follow. For example, they stress for us to be ourselves but we can't wear certain designs/styles of clothing.

I do think they should do whatever they need to prevent violence, but they need to be careful because it could cause more violence.

No, but I do feel like this is causing more damage. They should have just left it alone.

BR 2/27/14
I think they should because playing sports is a privilege and some people wouldn't be able to afford college without sports.

BR 2/10/14
Michigan
1.) Trade supported nearly 1,100,000 jobs in Michigan in 2011, or 22% of total jobs.
2.) 27% of all manufacturing workers in Michigan depended on exports for their jobs.
3.) In 2010, 141,700 people in Michigan were employed by affiliates of companies that are at least 50% foreign-owned.

BR 2/7/14
If I could make a law on anything, I would probably make a law about school times and the common work hour times. I feel that we should go to school from 8-5 only 4 days a week, Mon-Thurs. Also, that working parents do the same; they work the same hours and days of us. Only because child care is too hard to find, expensive, and not to everyone's advantage. I understand that there will be some exceptions, but for common work hours, for the majority of parents.

BR 2/5/14
I do think that the government should have a say if someone on food stamps tries to buy alcohol/tobacco products. They should not be allowed to buy that stuff with food stamps. They shouldn't restrict food products because if food stamps were my only way to get food and they restricted pop/sweets; I would be mad.

War against Grafton
1.) Funding solution: Taxing more on scanners purchased by residents of Barbour County - anytime one is used in Barbour County limits, you will pay $5.00.
2.) Army: I would choose to do an all volunteer force because volunteers want to be there & want to fight. Any volunteers that sign up and come to fight will earn the incentive of free gasoline for one hour each day - Only in Barbour County though.
3.) Mail delivery for soldiers: Each week there will be one day where a family member/friend/spouse is brought out, for free, to deliver mail from other people for that one soldier. They will be allowed to "deliver the mail" and visit for approx. 1 hour.
4.) Treaties: I would ratify Upshur County's. If they want to send their own troops to help fight the war, that is fine except we do not want more Upshur County soldiers than Barbour County soldiers. Once we win, they can have a piece of Taylor County after approval from Barbour County.

BR 2/4/14
1.) No, people are allowed to say what they want.
2.) They could create a new law for it.

BR 1/31/14
No, I wouldn't build it if it harmed our environment. 

BR 1/30/14
1.) No way, although it would be nice. Only because I hate school.
2.) Since I am so used to it, I think it would be weird.
3.) Funny, but kind of sad because these people are so confused and upset due to 2 inches of snow when we have like a foot and are at school.

Senate Outline

The Senate
The Upper House of Congress
Intended to not be bound totally by popular opinion
Represent             the entire state                        
A continuous body:              there is never a time in which all seats are up at once         
Term Length:             6 years                      
Term Limit:                 none                     

Originally elected by     state legislatures                                        

17 Amendment changed procedures to election by voters.

Before this amendment the Senate was nicknamed the          millionaires club     due too the purchasing of seats.

Only one senator for each state is elected at any given election

Exceptions        death or retirement                                 

Formal

1.  30 years old 
2.  lived in US 9 years
3.  inhabitant of state

Informal

1. party, name familiarity, gender, race, political, experience, fundraising ability

Other Senators can exclude a member with a majority vote

This has been done on     3     occasions

Senators  have the power to punish their colleagues for disorderly conduct

With a       2/3              vote the senate can expel one of its members

This has been done     15         times

14 of which were during the           civil war                             

BR 1/16/14
1.) Yes, because I have always thought that Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant has always been more of a glamorization  than a form of birth control.
2.) I don't feel that Teen Mom has caused teenage pregnancy to go down, according to their "facts" or not. I just think it was the timing, not due to the show. In that show they think they are making their lives look so difficult with having to raise a baby while still a teenager. But, that's a load of garbage. Raising a baby is hard no matter what age or standpoint you are in your life. And, by being on Teen Mom with their "ever so hard lives" they are collecting thousands of dollars PER EPISODE. I don't feel bad for them, if anything, they are living life getting all that free money.

4 things I learned on 1/15/14
1.) Gerrymandering
2.) Republicans won on our team
3.) House of Rep. can be ran unlimitedly
4.) Must be 25 yrs. to run in House of Rep.

BR 1/15/14
Bill Clinton, because he made the United States better.

BR 1/14/14
1.) Joe Manchin & Jay Rockefeller
2.) Mary Poling

BR 1/13/14
1.) I don't know why people are being so negative towards West Virginia about the whole chemical in the water stuff. It's not like this is the first, or last time this will ever happen. There isn't much we can do about it except take care of it as quickly and efficiently as we can.

BR 1/10/14
1.) I think it could go either way. They will try to hard to keep everyone safe, but that's a lot of people to worry about.
2.) No, I'm too scared.

BR 1/9/14
1.) I feel that her parents should make the decision if she gets the tubes or not.
2.) I'm not sure how I would handle this situation. I don't think I could give an honest answer unless I was in their shoes. I would probably act similar to her parents.