Blog #5: Obama's first 100 days

The election is finally over, and based on those early polls, it comes as no surprise Barack Obama will be our next President. A historic election for many reasons, but probably the most significant is the United States will have for the first time ever a black President. Personally, I am glad the campaigning is over because I am SICK AND TIRED of all those political ads. Televisions, radios, yard signs, and all those phone calls have been driving me crazy. It got so bad at my house, I stopped answering the phone when the caller ID registered a number I didn’t recognize. That’s pretty bad when a person must hide in their own house. The one thing I will not miss is talking about the election with my students. Like so many things about education, one of the great joys about teaching is talking to YOU (my students) about the subject at hand.

As we continue to talk about President Obama, he faces many challenges in his next job. He will be President of a nation greatly divided along party lines; many Republicans are not enthused about the future of our country. Obama must win over their trust and respect. The economy continues to be a serious problem in the US and world. He made campaign promises about energy solutions and our dependence on foreign oil. For his proposed health care plan, I’ve been assured I may keep my current health care but the cost will be lowered by as much as $2,500 a year. You can be sure the country is going to scrutinize him very closely. Yes, he too will be judged by the very people who elected him. Let us not forget the world stage, as foreign governments and its citizens will be evaluating him. You can see the pressures Obama faces, but these are the very challenges every newly elected President must face. Sometime in late April, we will evaluate Obama’s first 100 days in office and decide for ourselves his job performance. But for right now, post a comment on what you believe will be Obama’s biggest challenge in the first 100 days, and WHY?

Blog #4: Campaign Money & Commercials

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7596690.stm

As of this posting, the presidential election is only 27 days away. We are in the home stretch, and both candidates are fired up and going at each other with full force. All those commercials attacking each other can be very powerful, especially to an undecided voter. Also, those commercials cost the candidates a fair bit of money. As your parents drive you around town you may have spotted the candidate’s signs. Have you thought about where the money is coming from for those very expensive commercials and yard signs? Click the above link and read the article to familiarize yourself with some basics about this campaign's finance.
I think you will agree this campaign has some “big bucks” involved. It has been argued candidates can buy elections with enough advertising. Think about songs you have heard on the radio that you did not particularly like at first, but after hearing it enough times you start to like it. The same has been said of campaign commercials-you start believing what the candidates tell you.

Here is your assignment in two parts; be sure to post your responses: 1) Do you think campaign television commercials are important in this election and why? 2) Which candidate’s commercial do you think is the most effective and why? For part two you will need to watch some television (you don’t get that very often as a homework assignment!). Remember you need not agree with the candidate, but view the commercial objectively and determine if it was persuasive.

Blog #3 Mudslinging

http://www.gop.com/news/NewsRead.aspx?GUID=11b7c4b7-c708-4a63-9d09-789183ef4364

The Presidential campaign is in full swing, and both sides are taking jabs at each other. An Obama advertisement criticized McCain’s lack of computer skills. In the commercial, an announcer notes McCain “still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail.” Ouch!! John McCain cannot send an e-mail because he is physically unable to do so. He was tortured by the Viet-Cong while a prisoner of war. Not to be outdone, click on the above link to read about Obama’s running mate Joe Biden’s “designer cuff links” and “Questions about his hairline”. Does being able to send an email or having a full set of hair really matter in this election? This is mudslinging. A term used in politics to describe the negative ads put forth against the opponents. Mudslinging is nothing new in politics. Thomas Jefferson hired a writer named James Callender to attack President Adams. He wrote that John Adams is "a repulsive pedant," and a "gross hypocrite.” In 1876 the opponents of Rutherford B. Hayes spread a rumor that he shot his own mother in a fit of rage. A complete lie! In this present election with so much mudslinging taking place, it’s quite easy to lose sight of what really matters: who is the best person to run our country? To best answer that question, we must carefully scrutinize where the candidates stand on the issues. Some of these issues include national security, healthcare, taxes, immigration, education, the war in Iraq, energy, etc… Again, these are only a few of the big issues, and I’ve left out many important ones you probably feel are vital.

I want you to think about what you believe are the two most important issues and why they are so relevant. After you have considered this, I want you to post a response. Be sure to explain what issue you feel is the most important and the second most important issue; moreover, explain WHY for both choices.

Blog #2: Dark Horse Candidates

John McCain surprised many when he announced Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate. I was one of many who responded with the statement “Sarah who?” Many of us have never heard of this person. Sarah Palin is known as a dark horse, one who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice. History is full of dark horses, for example, North Carolina’s own James K. Polk was one of the first dark horses in US politics. Abraham Lincoln has been described as a dark horse; that is ironic when one considers he is typically ranked in the polls as the best President ever. The addition of Sarah Palin makes this Presidential campaign truly historic. Regardless of who wins the election, there will be a first in US history: either an African-American will take the office of the President, or a female will occupy the office of the Vice-President. Clearly, this Presidential election is history in the making!
Regarding Senator McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin, was this a smart decision on his part? Why or Why not? As you ponder these two questions, consider how his choice may help or hurt him in the campaign. Remember, your post is not an opportunity to criticize or praise either political party. I want you to objectively consider McCain’s choice, and judge if it was a good or bad decision and then support your answer with solid reasoning. Like me, you may need to learn more about Sarah Palin; Google her name or try talking about this topic with the adults in your home.

Blog #1: The Importance of Current Events

The importance of current events cannot be emphasized enough. I promise you that 100 years from now, students in middle schools across God’s earth will be studying your current events. The difference is that to them, it will be “stuff” that happened in the past. It bears repeating: “Today’s current events will be tomorrow’s history.” Discussing current events makes you an informed and involved citizen. Moreover, you will better understand people and how they relate to one another. So, let us consider for a moment the topic of current events. Granted, the upcoming Presidential election will make every textbook, but what about the other events taking place? Aside from the comments I’ve blogged, do you think it is important for middle schoolers to learn about current events? Why or why not? What kinds of current events interest you? Consider these questions for a moment and post a response.