Don't Vote!?

Over the past 150 years, many people worked hard and fought valiantly — and sometimes even died — to expand the right to vote to all Americans. Today, no matter your gender, race or income level, American citizens 18 or older have the right vote. Yet, voter turnout rates in the United States, especially during midterm elections like those on Nov. 4, are among the lowest in the world (PDF). For certain groups, like poor people and young adults, turnout rates are even lower. In a country that prides itself on its democratic values, why don’t more people vote? What do We the People Want?

Media and WWIII

The world is watching much of the violence between Israel and Hamas through traditional media and broadcasts. But millions also are getting their information through social media. Many posts are spreading misinformation or outright lies and criticism is being directed at the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and its owner Elon Musk. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Emerson Brooking.

1) With their Israel coverage, are the media trying to start World War III? Why/ Not?

2) How has cutting-edge tech is helping — and hurting — our attempts at understanding an already complex conflict?

3) What would/ should the media do differently?

4) Why is media bias in this case so dangerous?

Is Bias Bad for America?

What is Bias?

The Great Divide:  Politics In the Age of Trump

How is Sean Hannity's response  to this story biased?

'I know you are but what am I?!'

Mustang Sallys

 

Ride Sally Ride

Mustangs are heading into their sixth decade. The iconic car has a strong history in the United States, but the brand is continuing to innovate and push forward.  With the United Auto Workers strike making the headlines, it is important to remember that unions fought for more than just higher wages.  The labor movement has set an example other national organizations could learn from— and has taken steps to make sure workers are protected regardless of race, sex, sexuality, religion, nationality or legal status.

North Korea

Concerns about North Korea’s chronic food shortages are growing, with multiple sources suggesting this week that deaths due to starvation are likely.

Some experts say the country has hit its worst point since a 1990s famine known as the “Arduous March” caused mass starvation and killed hundreds of thousands of people, or an estimated 3-5% of what was then a 20 million-strong population.

Trade data, satellite images and assessments by the United Nations and South Korean authorities all suggest the food supply has now “dipped below the amount needed to satisfy minimum human needs,” according to Lucas Rengifo-Keller, a research analyst at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Even if food was distributed equally – something close to inconceivable in North Korea where the elite and military take priority – Rengifo-Keller said “you would have hunger-related deaths.” And in the past year it has spent precious resources carrying out a record number of missile tests.

1) Why is travel to North Korea so difficult and highly discouraged? 

2) What would you tell the people of North Korea about America if you had the chance?

3) Do you think a game like basketball could bring peace and understanding between our two nations?

Top Secret

The documents spread out on the carpet at Mar-a-Lago, their classification markings clearly visible, are tiny drops in a tsunami of secrets kept by the U.S. government.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin asked John Fitzpatrick, who managed the flow of classified documents in both the Obama and Trump White Houses, "Do you have any estimate of how many classified documents there are?"

1) How many classified documents are there?

2) Has it become harder or easier to classify information?

3) How did the 9/11 attacks affect classification? Why?

4) What is the 'Freedom of Information Act?'

5) What powers does the President have regarding classified documents?

6) What is the process a document has to go through in order to be 'declassified?'

 

9/11 Through Comics

 

"Some things are beyond words. Beyond comprehension. Beyond forgiveness.”

Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #36 opens on a two-page spread with Spider-Man at ground zero shortly after the towers collapsed. Examine the comic panels linked here and then write down responses to the following questions (or work in pairs) and then discuss as a class.

1) Look at the visual evidence and describe how Spider-Man is feeling — what does he look like? How does his reaction mirror that of how you think many Americans felt?

2) Analyze his words. What do they mean? Do you feel like something like this attack is beyond comprehension now?

3) Why can he not forgive? Should he? What do you think he will do?

4) What did America do? What would you do?

5) We see parts of NYC and Ground Zero – GPS coordinates are even given. Use Google Earth and look up these coordinates – what is there now?

What Is Current Events?

 

This summer has produced dramatic headlines around the world, including blockbuster Supreme Court rulings, record-breaking heat waves and an unlikely pairing of movies that smashed box-office receipts.

How closely have you paid attention to current events? See what you remember by taking our special Summer 2023 News Quiz.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE QUIZ

Welcome To the Metaverse!

When most people think of the metaverse, they might think of office workers wearing VR goggles at home to attend meetings in a virtual conference room. But this new evolution of the Internet is so much more. Users can buy and sell virtual land with real money, create and trade NFTs, and explore a new frontier with opportunities yet to be imagined. But like all economic booms, the metaverse is not without risk. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and assessing value in this virtual Wild West is uncertain, so early adopters could win big or face crushing losses.

What excites you about the 'Metaverse?' What concerns or frightens you? Do you think you'll want to 'live' there someday? Why or why not?

48 Hours in the Metaverse

Children of the Water

 

The Children of the Water: Starvation amid heavy floods in South Sudan

ABC News’ David Muir travels to South Sudan where humanitarian workers are rushing to provide aid to families on the brink of famine.

Watch Part 2

Sudan Conflict: Diplomats and foreign nationals evacuated

1) Who are the 'Children of the Water?'

2) What challenges do they face?

3) What can we do to help?

Would the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up?

Who is the terrorist?  Suspect A, B, or C?

Yesterday marked 28 years since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which remains the largest act of home-grown terrorism in U.S. history. How is that act of political violence remembered now, and how are the shockwaves of extremism still being felt today?

Who is the biggest threat to our national security: threats from home or abroad?

Why do some individuals decide to break with society and embark on a career in terrorism? Do terrorists share common traits or characteristics? Is there a terrorist personality or profile? Can a terrorist profile be developed that could reliably help security personnel to identify potential terrorists, whether they be would-be airplane hijackers, assassins, or suicide bombers? Do some terrorists have a psychotic personality? Psychological factors relating to terrorism are of particular interest to government officials who would like to be able to predict and prevent the emergence of terrorist groups or to thwart the realization of terrorist actions.

The truth is written all over our faces. Take the online Micro Expressions Test described in this story and the basis for the new Fox TV show Lie to Me. Can you read the hidden expressions?

Death and Taxes

Albert Einstein once wrote, "The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." The product of 95 years worth of additions, subtractions, deductions, and exclusions, it has become such a headache that many are calling for it to be drastically simplified or even removed altogether. With a looming fiscal crisis on the horizon, April 15th seems more like a scene from a B-Horror horror movie than a day to contribute to the common good of the nation. Political favoritism, ineffective social programs, and economic manipulations all reveal the need for tax reform.

What is an income tax and why are they important? What are the history of taxes in the United States? Why is paying taxes so complicated? Are they fair? Can you think of a better system?

What if there were no taxes?

July 4th: A History of Protest

What is the significance of the Fourth of July? What is the history behind the holiday?

This week, two Democratic members of Tennessee’s House of Representatives were reinstated after being expelled by their Republican colleagues for participating in a gun violence protest. In his speech on the House floor, Rep. Justin Pearson referred to the hypocrisy of being expelled the week before for protesting, by a group of people who celebrate historical protest on the Fourth of July.

In this lesson, students will read excerpts from Pearson’s speech and Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, “What To The Slave is the Fourth of July?” in order to compare, contrast and form their own opinions.

Think about the role of protest in U.S. History as well as the multiple symbolic meanings that days such as the 4th of July can hold.

Al Jaffee Folds-It-In

Mad Magazine legend Al Jaffee died yesterday at the age of 102.

Keep copying those Sunday funnies, kids, and one day you may beat Al Jaffee’s record to become the Longest Working Cartoonist in History.

You’ll need to take extra good care of your health, given that the Guinness Book of World Records notified Jaffee, above, of his honorific on his 95th birthday.

Much of his legendary career has been spent at Mad Magazine, where he is best-known as the father of Fold-ins. 

Look at the examples of his Fold-Ins posted below and then create one of your own using the paper given out in class:

Sacrifice and Survival

"An affecting, singular story...a bracing tale of life on the edge of death." --Kirkus Reviews

When veteran war reporter Benjamin Hall woke up in Kyiv on the morning of March 14, 2022, he had no idea that, within hours, Russian bombs would nearly end his life. As a journalist for Fox News, Hall had worked in dangerous war zones like Syria and Afghanistan, but with three young daughters at home, life on the edge was supposed to be a thing of the past. Yet when Russia viciously attacked Ukraine in February 2022, Hall quickly volunteered to go. A few weeks later, while on assignment, Hall and his crew were blown up in a Russian strike. With Hall himself gravely injured and stuck in Kyiv, it was unclear if he would make it out alive.

This is the story of how he survived--a story that continues to this day. For the first time, Hall shares his experience in full--from his ground-level view of the war to his dramatic rescue to his arduous, and ongoing, recovery. Going inside the events that have permanently transformed him, Hall recalls his time at the front lines of our world's conflicts, exploring how his struggle to step away from war reporting led him back one perilous last time. Featuring nail-biting accounts from the many people across multiple countries who banded together to get him to safety, Hall offers a stunning look at the complex teamwork and heartfelt perseverance that turned his life into a mission.

Through it all, Hall's spirit has remained undaunted, buoyed by that remarkable corps of people from around the world whose collective determination ensured his survival. Evocative, harrowing, and deeply moving, Saved is a powerful memoir of family and friends, of life and healing, and of how to respond when you are tested in ways you never thought possible.

Russia's Nuclear Threat

 

With continuing Ukrainian war and the recent destruction of a US drone over the Black Sea, the question of whether the Russians might deploy nuclear weapons to stem the tide in Ukraine has been frequently asked. 

What is Russia's nuclear threat? Do you think Putin might be crazy enough to use a nuclear weapon? Why? Not?

January 6: Riot or Peaceful Assembly?

Fox personality Tucker Carlson this week is releasing security video from the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol, using footage provided exclusively to him by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to falsely portray the riot as a peaceful gathering. James Sasso, who served as senior investigative counsel for the Jan. 6 committee, joins Geoff Bennett to discuss.

1) What happened on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol?

2) Why did NewsHour call Tucker Carlson a “personality” if he hosts a news show?

3) Who is James Sasso? Why do you think the NewsHour chose to interview someone who was part of the investigative team into the Jan. 6 attack?

4) How did the Jan. 6 videos shared by the Jan. 6 committee differ greatly from what Fox News shared?

5) Why do so many Fox viewers believe Tucker Carlson when the videos he showed were clearly edited leaving out the violence that took place on Jan. 6?

Investigavate further....

O... H... I... O... THE Mother of Presidents

 

Ohio prides itself as being the ‘Mother of Presidents,’ boasting no fewer than eight chief executives. Seven were born in the ‘Buckeye State:’ Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Warren G. Harding. The eighth, William Henry Harrison, may have technically been born in Virginia (who claims him as their native son), but he had served both as US Congressman and Senator from Ohio before ascending to the presidency (Guerrieri, 2018). No other state can claim as many presidents, not even ‘Old Virginia’ has dominion. What is it in the Ohio water that breeds this many leaders?

Perhaps a better question is of quality over quantity. Certainly not all of Ohio’s presidents have been successful. Garfield and Mckinley would both tragically be assassinated while in office, victims of their own failures in turbulent times. Warren Harding, plagued by ‘Teapot Dome’ and various extramarital affairs, would die under mysterious circumstances while in office (Monks, 2019). Ulysses Grant successfully led the Union to victory during the Civil War, but his Presidency would be overshadowed by scandal after scandal, leading him to admit in his farewell address, “Mistakes have been made, as all can see and I admit, but I leave comparisons to history, claiming only that I have acted in every instance from a conscientious desire to do what was right, constitutional, within the law, and for the very best interests of the whole people. Failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent.” (Daugherty, 2020)

Of all the Ohio Presidents, Benjamin Harrison, grandson of William Henry and proud graduate of Miami University. quietly led America to several successes. Consider his accomplishments: the expansion of the US Navy, the creation of the first Pan-American Union, and the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act (Friedel & Sidey, H. 2006). His success should not be measured by legislation alone. Unfairly nicknamed ‘Kid Glove’ Harrison, Benjamin non-confrontationally worked to improve the lives of Indians, homesteaders, and veterans.

Proving the maxim ‘what is right isn’t always popular, and what is popular isn’t always right,’ Benjamin Harrison lost the popular vote by 100,000 to Grover Cleveland but still won in the Electoral College 233 to 168 (Friedel & Sidey, H. 2006). His ‘front porch’ campaigns, so named for his speeches delivered from his home in Indianapolis, would not be enough to propel him to a second term in 1892. While not the most dynamic or charismatic of our leaders, ‘Little Ben’ should be given credit for helping to heal our nation long after Reconstruction had been abandoned.

How has the role of the President changed since Benjamin Harrison's time?

Dead Presidents

“Hi, I’m Jimmy Carter, and I’m going to be your next President.”

These were the first words many Americans ever heard from Jimmy Carter. A one-term governor from the Deep South with no Washington experience, professional political observers dismissed his candidacy as the longest of long shots. But the born-again Christian and peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia knew something the experts didn’t. Americans were looking for fresh, untainted leadership to bridge the chasm of mistrust that had opened between the people and their government after the war in Vietnam and the Watergate scandal.

Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday, in the United States, holiday (third Monday in February) popularly recognized as honouring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The day is sometimes understood as a celebration of the birthdays and lives of all U.S. presidents. The origin of Presidents’ Day lies in the 1880s, when the birthday of Washington—commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States—was first celebrated as a federal holiday. In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, which moved a number of federal holidays to Mondays. The change was designed to schedule certain holidays so that workers had a number of long weekends throughout the year, but it has been opposed by those who believe that those holidays should be celebrated on the dates they actually commemorate. During debate on the bill, it was proposed that Washington’s Birthday be renamed Presidents’ Day to honour the birthdays of both Washington (February 22) and Lincoln (February 12); although Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated in many states, it was never an official federal holiday. Following much discussion, Congress rejected the name change. After the bill went into effect in 1971, however, Presidents’ Day became the commonly accepted name, due in part to retailers’ use of that name to promote sales and the holiday’s proximity to Lincoln’s birthday. Presidents’ Day is usually marked by public ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country.

Who do you think was the best US President? The Worst? Which President would you ask for help with your homework? Who would you want if you were in a Survival Situation? A date for Prom? What qualities do these individuals share that made them good leaders?

Lift Every Voice...

AND SING! 

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing," colloquially known as the Black National Anthem, ahead of the Superbowl game. The song, written more than 100 years ago, emerged as a rallying cry during the civil rights movement, according to the NAACP. The NFL began including the song in its games following the Black Lives Matter protests that occurred during the summer of 2020, but the move has faced backlash from some conservatives.

Congress woman Lauren Boebert became the latest prominent Republican to criticize the National Football League (NFL) over the song's inclusion, which will be performed alongside "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful." The GOP lawmaker accused the league of attempting to "divide" Americans by including the Black National Anthem in the performance lineup.

1) What is the 'Black National Anthem?'

2) Why was it sung alongside the 'National Anthem' at the SuperBowl?

3) What is so controversial about it?

4) Is the 'Star Spangled Banner' racist?

5) What do you think?

What's Up with the 'Docs?'

 

The discovery of classified documents at the homes of three top elected U.S. officials has left many lawmakers and former government workers shaking their heads and wondering how the country has ended up in this situation.

Authorities found dozens of classified materials at former President Trump’s home last year, including some marked “top secret,” that he did not promptly turn over to the National Archives.

Lawyers for President Biden found several classified documents at his Delaware residence in recent weeks, a discovery that prompted lawyers for former Vice President Mike Pence to search his Indiana home. They found a small number of papers with classified markings in the process.

Lawyers for both Biden and Pence alerted the National Archives and Justice Department about the discoveries.

The findings have lawmakers and aides who have dealt with classified documents puzzled over how there could be a breakdown in process in consecutive administrations, and it has triggered discussion over what reforms could prevent such mistakes from happening in the future. It has also left some officials worried that it will further erode trust in government institutions.

Historian Matthew Connelly says government records are marked as "classified" three times every second — and many of them will never be declassified. Listen to the podcast as we talk about what this means for the public and how this might change considering the ongoing controversy of classified documents discovered in Trump, Bidens, and now Pence's possession.

1) How many classified documents are there?

2) What's different about classified information?

3) Who has the power to classify?

4) Why would a newspaper article be classified?

5) Can a president declassify documents and how long does it take?

6) Is The U.S. Gov't designating too many documents as 'Classified'? ' Explain your opinion.

Chinese Censorship

With all the talk of 'fake news' and Russian 'collusion' in the last election, how is any American supposed to know who is telling the truth?  This is not a problem in China, where misinformation is tightly controlled by the government, and the telling of 'falsehoods' is punishable by jail time or worse.

The Chinese government demonstrated just how much power it has over the opinions of its billion-strong population by deciding to ban use of a single letter. That letter is 'N' and its censorship followed moves by the Chinese Communist Party to remove the ten year limit on a presidency from the country's Constitution.

But why would they do this?  What is so bad about the letter 'N'?  Read more to find out.

Who were the 'original keepers' of the sacred words?

The blocking of the letter 'N' might seem like a bizarre move by the Chinese authorities, but it is part of a struggle to restrict clever bloggers from getting around their country's censorship.  Winnie the Pooh also joins the list of images blocked on social media.

So do 'big yellow ducks!'

IS 'FAKE NEWS' THE PRICE WE PAY FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?  IS IT A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY OR A SYMPTOM?

WHAT DOES OUR OWN PRESIDENT SAY ABOUT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS?

MLK: Happy Birthday!

In the immediate aftermath of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4th 1968, U.S. Congressman John Conyers of Michigan introduced the Conyers King Holiday Bill in the House of Representatives. Submitted four days after King’s death, the legislation sought to establish a federal holiday to honor the slain civil rights champion; however, Representative Conyers’ bill languished in congressional committees for years even though he dutifully submitted his legislation at the beginning of every new congressional session. Contributing to the delay was the fact that King was not viewed favorably at that time by many members of Congress, nor among a substantial portion of the American public.

Finally, in 1979, the Conyers’ bill was voted on in Congress but fell five votes shy of passage. Undaunted, the King Center in Atlanta, led by Dr. King’s widow Coretta Scott King, continued to lobby for a national holiday. They were soon joined by a powerful ally, musician and songwriter Stevie Wonder. In 1980, Wonder channeled his discontent with opposition to the holiday into “Happy Birthday,” a song that completely reimagined the traditional song and featured lyrics celebrating Dr. King’s peaceful mission. “Happy Birthday” became an international hit in 1981 and an anthem for the campaign.

The popularity of the song substantially increased awareness of the campaign, resulting in increased public support of enacting the new law. By the end of 1982, the King Center had gathered six million signatures on their petition in support of federal legislation to establish a Dr. King federal holiday. Mrs. King and Mr. Wonder presented the signed petition to Massachusetts Congressman Tip O’Neill, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

A new bill, House Resolution (H.R.) 3706, authored and sponsored by Representative Katie Hall of Indiana, was submitted to the 98th Congress on July 29, 1983. Although it was met with opposition in both the House and Senate, a bill “to make the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a legal public holiday” passed both chambers of Congress. 

Which President would ultimately sign the bill into law despite strong personal opposition?

Why would anyone oppose honoring Dr. King without fear of being labeled a racist?

Why do we celebrate MLK day in January and not in April?

How should the holiday be celebrated? What will you do?

Who do you think deserves a Federal Holiday? Why?

Free Speech and Social Media

The Tip of the Iceberg

What power does the media have? What responsibility do we have to check it? Answer the above questions in the area above the water. List everything you already know about 'freedom of speech and social media.'

Beneath the Surface

After watching the story, answer the following questions in the area of the iceberg under the water: What happened? What choices were made in this situation? By whom? Who was affected? When did it happen? Where did it happen? What factors influenced the particular choices made by the individuals and groups involved in this event? Can they be corroborated by multiple sources? Is it true or is it 'fake news?'

Debrief

This step is often best done in groups so that students can brainstorm ideas together.Prompts you might use to guide journal writing and/or class discussion include:

1) What did you learn from completing your iceberg?

2) What questions do you still have and what more would you like to know?

3) How does the information in this iceberg help you better understand the world we live in today?

ICEBERG DIAGRAM