Rebranding America

What does America mean to you? Many have spoken about the need for a rebranding of America. Rebrand, restart, reboot. Click here to find out what U2's Bono thinks. In one sentence, how would you describe Bono’s vision of (the United States of) America or what he believes America is? Briefly make note of the section(s) that support your understanding of his vision or belief. Do you agree or disagree with his vision? Why?

Muslims in America

There is perhaps no arguing with a terrorist but when Osama Bin Ladin declares Jihad on the United States he has forgotten that the US is home to an estimated 3 to 7 million followers of the Quran. How many of these famous Muslim Americans can you name?

(Hint: they're not all Muslim and they're not all American.)

Click here for the answers.

Hunting Bin Ladin

Investigating Osama Bin Ladin, Al Qaeda, and their role in terrorist attacks on America.

Balloon Boy

CLICK HERE TO PLAY
The media frenzy surrounding the 'Balloon Boy' certainly wasn't a game. Thousands of dollars and man-hours were lost while our dedicated public safety agencies were sent on a wild goose chase for what has now been revealed as a publicity stunt. Who was to blame? Are we any worse for tuning in than the father who perpetrated it? Over 6,000 web sites have been launched over night with everything from fan clubs to Halloween Costumes. Should the family be allowed to profit? Should the kids be taken away? What should the punishment be?
In the sky....Its a bird...Its a plane....

Exterminate Terrorism

Afghan education authorities say they are facing a difficult task of convincing parents to send their daughters to school as attacks on female students have increased in recent months.

Meanwhile back in the US it is revealed that the Bush Administration approved the use of 'insect boxes' to interrogate suspected terrorists.

How is fear used in both instances? Is this use of fear to get terroists to confess justified? How is this different from the terrorist attacks? Can you justify the use of fear in one case but not the other? Why or why not?

Obsessed

We may have laughed at some of the phobias we studied in class but for those who suffer from them these fears are no laughing matter.

Marie, for example, has an obsession with the weight of objects and fears that her kitchen appliances are going to fall from the floor.

Be Afraid....

Be very afraid! October marks the month that we as a nation celebrate 'being afraid.' But what do we really have to be afraid about? Read the article from last week's Time magazine on Glenn Beck and then you tell me.

1) Who is Glenn Beck and how did he get his start?

2) What does Mr. Beck tell us to be afraid of? List at least 3 specific fears.

3) Is Glenn Beck the first to play on American's fears? Look at the chart entitled 'Paranoid Politics' and name at least 2 others?

4) What does 'E pluribus unum'mean? Is it true? How do we as Americans stereotype each other politically?

5) Like Micheal Moore, how does Glenn Beck make his money?

Click here to listen to Glenn Beck's response.