10/15/13 Questions

1)    Why do most groups have to obtain a permit to parade or hold a demonstration?

Most groups have to obtain a permit to parade or hold a demonstration to maintain public order and safety and to make sure it does not interfere with other citizens.

2)    Why were the Nazi party in Skokie allowed to march?  What dilemmas or controversies just this case bring up?

The Nazi party in Skokie was allowed to march because it is illegal to limit a group from marching just because they are an unpopular group. The dilemmas and controversies that this brought up was heckler’s veto, where the public vetoes the groups rights, and people claimed that it would cause great pain to residents and would attract a counterdemonstration.

3)    Describe dilemmas that a free society faces in setting limits on freedom of assembly? 

A free society faces dilemmas in setting limits on freedom of assembly, some examples Police Department of Chicago v. Mosley, in which the Court voided a city law that banned all demonstrations near buildings except picketing, in Adderly v. Florida, 1966, where the Court held that demonstrators could not enter the grounds of the county jail without permission, and in Cox v. Louisiana, 1965, the Court upheld a law banning demonstrations and parades near courthouses if it could interfere with trials.

4)    When may the right to assemble be limited on public and private property? 

The right to assemble may be limited on public and private property when it interferes with the work or functions of that building or public facility.

Questions Chp 6 10/11

1) List and describe the three types of speech.
1. Pure speech- The verbal expression of thought and opinion
2. Speech plus- Actions such as marching or demonstrating
3. Symbolic speech- Involves using actions and symbols, instead of words to express opinions

2) How has Congress regulated speech? List three ways and describe each.
Congress has regulated speech by making three things that speech must pass. One, the "clear and present danger" test, two, the bad tendency doctrine, and three, the preferred position doctrine. Rule one, the clear and present danger test, when speech in question clearly presents immediate danger it is not protected. Rule two, the bad tendency doctrine, speech can be restricted if it could lead to illegal action. Rule three, the preferred position doctrine, holds that First Amendment freedoms are more fundamental than other freedoms because they provide the basis of all liberties.

3) Why types of speech is not protected?
The types of speech that are not protected are defamatory speech, which is false speech that damages a person's good name, character, or reputation, and "fighting words" which are words that are so insulting that they provoke immediate violence.

4) How have changes in Supreme Court definitions of seditious speech expanded First Amendment rights? Cite cases to support your answer. 
Changes in the Supreme Court definitions of seditious speech have expanded the First Amendment rights by making First Amendment freedoms more fundamental than other freedoms.

5) List how the Supreme court has limited student speech.
The Supreme Court has limited student speech by making it clear that students do not give up all rights to free speech. Students may be punished for lewd or indecent speech at school events and student speech may also be regulated in school newspapers.

Questions 10/10

1) What are the two clauses that guarantee freedom of religion?  Explain each clause.

The two clauses that guarantee freedom of religion are the establishment clause and the free exercise clause. The establishment clause says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." While the free exercise clause says that Congress not prohibit the exercise of religion.

2) How has religion continued to be a part of public life?  Give three examples.

Religion has continued to be a part of public life because many public officials take their oaths of office in the name of God, the nations coins say "In God We Trust," and the Pledge of Allegiance says "one nation under God."

3) What was Everson vs. the Board of Education about?  What was the outcome?

Everson vs. the Board of Education was about a challenge to New Jersey law allowing the state to pay for transportation to and from parochial schools. The outcome was that the law was constitutional because it benefitted students rather than aiding religion directly.

4) Discuss two cases in which education and religion have come into conflict.

Two cases in which education and religion have come into conflict are Wolman v. Walter, in which the government allowed the use of state-supported buses for transportation to and from school but not for field trips, and Board of Education v. Allen, in which the Court allowed the state to provide nonreligious textbooks to parochial schools.

5) List three tests the Supreme Court uses to determine if government aid to parochial education is constitutional.

Three tests that the Supreme Court uses to determine if government aid to parochial education is constitutional are that they must have a clear secular, non religious purpose, it may not advance or inhibit religion, and it must avoid "excessive government entanglement with religion."

6) How did the principle the Supreme Court established in Reynolds vs. United States limit free exercise of religion?

The Supreme Court limited the free exercise of religion by making a law against polygamy constitutional.

Letter to Senator Murkowski

The Honorable Senator Murkowski Dear Senator Murkowski: My name is Taylor Carlson and I reside in Skagway, Alaska.  I am in the eleventh grade at Skagway High School. I am writing you to express my opinion on Obamacare or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I feel that this program is not beneficial to the people of our state and country. The citizens should not be required to have healthcare if they do not wish to. This program is doing more harm than good. It is taxing people with healthcare if it is too good and taxing people without healthcare. I believe that people should be able to choose for themselves. Large businesses are also being negatively affected, which, in turn, affects their employees. Many businesses are now cutting employees hours so that they are part time and do not have to be given healthcare. This also takes away benefits that they had been previously given. Forever 21 for example has told its employees that they will be cutting hours and making full time people part time. The government shutdown may be a good thing; it brings much needed attention to Obamacare and the new healthcare laws. I do not think that the shutdown should continue to the point that debts are defaulted on, but I do think that there is a point to it. Thank you for your time and considering my request. Sincerely, Taylor Carlson

Chapter 5 Questions + Outline

1.     The Constitution addressed the issue of citizenship by

2.     The significance of the Dred Scott case was that it added tensions to the already tense atmosphere before the civil war.

3.     The five qualifications for US citizenship are that the person must have entered the country legally, they must be of good moral character, they must declare their support of the US government, they must be able to read, write, and speak English, and they must show some basic knowledge of American history and government.

4.     The difference between an immigrant and an alien is that an alien does not plan to become a citizen while an immigrant does plan on becoming a citizen.

5.     The purpose of the national origins system that began in 1924 was to lower the number of immigrants allowed into the US each year.

6.     The legal document that specifically guarantees the rights of US citizens is the Bill of Rights.

Responsibilities of Citizens

I.               Knowing About Rights and Laws

a.     Need to know about the laws that govern society

b.     Need to know basic legal rights

II.             Citizenship Involves Participation

III.           Voting

a.     Help to choose leaders of the state or nation

b.     Also expresses faith in the system

IV.            Voter Participation Counts

a.     Votes matter

V.              Ways of Participating as a Citizen

a.     Campaigning for a candidate

b.     Distributing leaflets

c.      Working at polls on Election Day

Current Event

Article Title- Washington Navy Yard Shooting

Source: Durden, Tyler. "Washington Navy Yard Shooting Timeline." zerohedge.com. N.p., 16 Sept. 2013. Google. Web. 2 Oct. 2013. <http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-16/washington-navy-yard-shooting-timeline-and-recap-13-dead-one-suspect-still-sought-qu>.

Olheiser, Abby. "FBI: Navy Yard Shooter Acted Alone." theatlanticwire.com. N.p., 17 Sept. 2013. Google. Web. 2 Oct. 2013. <http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/09/theres-active-shooter-loose-washington-navy-yard/69437/>.

What: A Navy yard employee killed 12 people and injured more in an attack on building #197’s third and fourth floors before being shot by police.

Who: The shooter was identified as Aaron Alexis, aged 34, who was previously a Navy reservist and contractor who was currently working at the Navy Yard.

When: Alexis entered the Navy yards headquarters at approximately 8:20am on September 16^th, 2013.

Why: It has been said that Alexis believed that the FBI had been using ‘low frequency electromagnetic waves’ to ‘control’ him. He believed that he had been being ‘attacked’ for the last three months and that this was what drove him to commit the shooting. He claimed in Newport, Rhode Island to police officers that he was hearing ‘voices’ from his hotel walls.

Where:  Washington Navy Yard 1411 Parsons Ave SE, Washington, DC 20374