A Week of Drama
This was a dramatic week in Washington as we watched the State of the Union address, witnessed the swearing in of Judge Alito, mourned the death of Coretta Scott King and we heard about the need to do more for the world’s poor by Bono.
I wonder if the Founding Fathers had any idea that the Constitutional requirement for a State of the Union address would become such a spectacular annual event. As our news commentator reminded us, this was a majestic evening as the three branches of government gathered in the House chamber to hear the President’s agenda for 2006. Adding to the excitement of the event was the monumental security that is now required for a gathering this large. Mail boxes removed from the streets surrounding the Capitol, man hole covers welded shut, barricades restricting vehicle traffic, and a greatly restricted fly zone all added to the drama of the occasion. As you watched the address, you saw an example of partisanship, that is, one political party acting supportive through clapping and standing while the other party remained in their chairs and only offered polite applause. Keep in mind that the Constitution makes no mention of political parties and our first president was very much against Congress dividing along factional lines.
Many of you asked about the teleprompter and its use so I have provided a link for you to learn more about how the apparatus works. Even though I recently cautioned you about the use of Wikipedia, I found their link to be the most useful. I am using one of my habits of mind…. “being open to new learning.”
Samuel Alito was sworn in as our newest Associate Justice on the Supreme Court just in time to attend the State of the Union address in his new robes. His confirmation vote of 58 to 42 had four Democrats voting in his favor and one Republican, our own Senator Chafee, voting no. Senator Chafee, like many Rhode Islanders, is a man with an independent mind. This vote will be cited by supporters and opponents as his own reelection race to the Senate heats up this spring.
The passing of Coretta Scott King was warmly eulogized as the President began his State of the Union address with a call for the entire country to pause and remember all that the King family has done to make us one nation. Mrs. King worked alongside her husband in the early days of the Civil Rights movement and took on the monumental task after her husband’s assassination of holding this country accountable for how it treats all its citizens. May we all continue to support the efforts on behalf of equality in this country and around the world!
Ending the week in Washington was the annual National Prayer Breakfast where the administration, members of congress and the judiciary along with world leaders gather to commit themselves to working for the good of all nations. Bono, the keynote speaker, called on the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, to earmark an additional 1% of its budget to help the world’s poor. Bono reminded the leaders that millions of children are dying from poverty and disease when they could be saved by making modest investments in providing basic drugs and clean water.
The Bill of Rights
Your posters look great! With your graphics and brief narratives your posters really zeroed in on the importance of our amendments and how they affect our everyday lives. Next week, you will be “quizzed” on how these amendments are applied even in the lives of high school students. You heard the powerful example of a Portsmouth student who believed her civil liberties were infringed upon when she was denied the opportunity to tutor young children. She did not turn and walk away but provided us all with a lesson that when you believe you have been wronged you can seek redress. In this case, she called upon the American Civil Liberties Union to help her defend her rights.
We will take another look at the rights of high school students as we play the role of judges in actual cases. Can a student’s locker be searched? Can students wear black arm bands to school as a form of protest? Can the school newspaper be censored by the principal? You will the read the facts of each case and then make your decision. Black robes anyone?
George Washington: A Man of Precedent
Next week will also mean a return to 1789 and we will try to identify the many challenges Washington had to meet in order to put this country on the right track. You have been asked to look at economic, political, and social challenges and then to identify his response. We must also keep in mind that GW did not act alone, and the advisors he surrounded himself with will play an instrumental role. I wonder what techniques good leaders use to benefit the most from their advisors.
I wonder if the Founding Fathers had any idea that the Constitutional requirement for a State of the Union address would become such a spectacular annual event. As our news commentator reminded us, this was a majestic evening as the three branches of government gathered in the House chamber to hear the President’s agenda for 2006. Adding to the excitement of the event was the monumental security that is now required for a gathering this large. Mail boxes removed from the streets surrounding the Capitol, man hole covers welded shut, barricades restricting vehicle traffic, and a greatly restricted fly zone all added to the drama of the occasion. As you watched the address, you saw an example of partisanship, that is, one political party acting supportive through clapping and standing while the other party remained in their chairs and only offered polite applause. Keep in mind that the Constitution makes no mention of political parties and our first president was very much against Congress dividing along factional lines.
Many of you asked about the teleprompter and its use so I have provided a link for you to learn more about how the apparatus works. Even though I recently cautioned you about the use of Wikipedia, I found their link to be the most useful. I am using one of my habits of mind…. “being open to new learning.”
Samuel Alito was sworn in as our newest Associate Justice on the Supreme Court just in time to attend the State of the Union address in his new robes. His confirmation vote of 58 to 42 had four Democrats voting in his favor and one Republican, our own Senator Chafee, voting no. Senator Chafee, like many Rhode Islanders, is a man with an independent mind. This vote will be cited by supporters and opponents as his own reelection race to the Senate heats up this spring.
The passing of Coretta Scott King was warmly eulogized as the President began his State of the Union address with a call for the entire country to pause and remember all that the King family has done to make us one nation. Mrs. King worked alongside her husband in the early days of the Civil Rights movement and took on the monumental task after her husband’s assassination of holding this country accountable for how it treats all its citizens. May we all continue to support the efforts on behalf of equality in this country and around the world!
Ending the week in Washington was the annual National Prayer Breakfast where the administration, members of congress and the judiciary along with world leaders gather to commit themselves to working for the good of all nations. Bono, the keynote speaker, called on the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, to earmark an additional 1% of its budget to help the world’s poor. Bono reminded the leaders that millions of children are dying from poverty and disease when they could be saved by making modest investments in providing basic drugs and clean water.
The Bill of Rights
Your posters look great! With your graphics and brief narratives your posters really zeroed in on the importance of our amendments and how they affect our everyday lives. Next week, you will be “quizzed” on how these amendments are applied even in the lives of high school students. You heard the powerful example of a Portsmouth student who believed her civil liberties were infringed upon when she was denied the opportunity to tutor young children. She did not turn and walk away but provided us all with a lesson that when you believe you have been wronged you can seek redress. In this case, she called upon the American Civil Liberties Union to help her defend her rights.
We will take another look at the rights of high school students as we play the role of judges in actual cases. Can a student’s locker be searched? Can students wear black arm bands to school as a form of protest? Can the school newspaper be censored by the principal? You will the read the facts of each case and then make your decision. Black robes anyone?
George Washington: A Man of Precedent
Next week will also mean a return to 1789 and we will try to identify the many challenges Washington had to meet in order to put this country on the right track. You have been asked to look at economic, political, and social challenges and then to identify his response. We must also keep in mind that GW did not act alone, and the advisors he surrounded himself with will play an instrumental role. I wonder what techniques good leaders use to benefit the most from their advisors.
posted by "1776 and More" at 9:26 AM
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