"I Know My Rights!"

This past week we focused on The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791 to protect the rights of the people from a powerful national government. Additional amendments aimed at protecting the individual (13, 14, 15, 19 and 26) are sometimes included in a loose definition of The Bill of Rights.

As you saw in our discussion of the Tinker Case, Hazelwood, and most recently the Portsmouth High School Sword Case, you the students have rights. But we must also keep in mind there is a constant balancing act between liberty (your freedoms and rights) and order. The goal of The Bill of Rights is to protect individuals from a government that might infringe upon your freedoms. Should the majority have the right to curtail or take away your rights? We may not like what individuals or groups say and do but if we start limiting freedom of expression where does one stop? Let’s keep in mind a quote that has been attributed to Voltaire (French author, 1694-1778)

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it.”

After reading over your amendment assessment I can say confidently “You Know Your Rights!” Job well done!

Turning Points in History

The election of 1800 is sometimes called the “revolution of 1800,” as this was the first time in our country's history that presidential leadership changed from one political party to the other, with the Federalist party of Washington and Adams losing to the anti-Federalists, now known as the Jeffersonian Republicans. Today in our country we don’t worry about violence if there is a change in political leadership but in 1800 this system was untested. While the Federalists lost the presidency and would never regain their power, we need to reflect on the lasting impact this party had in establishing our country. We also need to remember that even though the new president was not a Federalist, the principles of the Federalists, especially their belief in a strong national government, continued to be upheld by the Supreme Court under the leadership of John Marshall.

Our upcoming election of 2008 will be another turning point in history. It is exciting to live through such a major change and I hope you take the opportunity to check out the many web sites, blogs, and You Tube videos that are supporting the candidates. The February 9 Providence Journal features a story in its Lifebeat section on the role of You Tube in this election.

Thomas Jefferson: A Man of Contradictions

We ended the week with a video on Thomas Jefferson, author of The Declaration of Independence, our first Secretary of State, our second Vice-President, and our third President. He wrote that “all men are created equal” but he was a slave holder. He worked to eliminate the federal debt when he became President yet died so deeply in debt that his plantation, Monticello, and his personal possessions had to be sold. He believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution but he bought the Louisiana Purchase from France. We will look at this man and his accomplishments next week. This weekend you have some guiding questions to help you better understand Jefferson as you read a selection from your text.

Advice from TJ

In 1825, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to a young man with the following advice:

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.

Never spend your money before you have it.


Current Events

Our next current event assignment will be February 15, the last day of school before we go on our break.