Syria-ous-ly

How is the war in Syria different from wars in the past?

What is going on in Syria and why? This animation explains the events that have led to the ongoing civil war in the Middle Eastern country, which is reported to have claimed over 100,000 lives. It's a complicated issue, but this explainer should serve as a good starting point for understanding it all.

What does the President think we should do?

Room for Debate:  How to end the Chaos in Syria (or at least contain it)

Battle for Iraq/ Hunting Isis

"Guardian" reporter Ghaith Abdul-Ahad goes inside the battle for Mosul to examine the fight and its toll, speaking with civilians, soldiers and ISIS suspects -- and surviving a suicide bomb. Also in this two-part hour: a dramatic report on an Iraqi unit at the center of the fight.

Discussion Questions

Checks and Balances

President Donald Trump today attacked those challenging his travel ban, saying even a "bad high school student" would understand the law that confers on the president the power to restrict immigration. Trump defended his immigration executive order, and he insisted the country is "at risk" because of the temporary halt on the order, and he called the ban a "weapon" necessary for the security of the nation.

But even a 'bad high school student' knows that our government is divided into three branches for a reason:  so no one branch becomes more powerful than the other.  Executive Orders from the President do not carry the power of laws passed by Congress and the power of Judicial Review allows the court to declare them unconstitutional.

The President would not go so far as to call the court biased, but did question the decision of the 'so called judge' who ruled against him.   Complicating matters worse is the anticipated stalemate if the case makes it to the Supreme Court and the comments of the President's choice to fill the Supreme Court vacancy.

Words Matter

Click here to watch President Trump's Inauguration speech.

"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first." 

Donald Trump’s inaugural address: will likely go down in history as the infamous, hyper-nationalist, chest-thumping “America First” speech.

Study these word clouds of the first inaugural addresses by Presidents Trump, Obama, Bush 43, Clinton, Bush 41, Reagan and Carter. To the extent word clouds are useful, can you see some interesting similarities and differences between the speeches?  What do their words say about each President?  What words didn't each President say?  Why?

Did Donald Trump really quote the Bee Movie?

Perhaps he was channeling Bane from Batman: The Dark Knight?

Was Trump the first celebrity spokesman for 'America First?'

Do our words really matter?

Death of the Daily

What does the future look like for America's Newspapers?

Find Out Here...

What does the sale of the Washington Post mean for the Newspaper Industry?

Is the New Orleans Times Picayune the next to go?

Join the 'movement' to save the Daily! Make a Newspaper Hat

Cuba Libre!

Name three facts you know or think you know about Fidel Castro, the longtime leader of Cuba who died on Friday. Then, skim the events in the interactive “Fidel Castro: 1926-2016” to see what else you might learn.

Watch the Documentary: The Fidel Castro Tapes

Questions for Comprehension and Analysis

Note: Though we encourage you to read the entire obituary, answers to the following questions can be found in the first twelve paragraphs.


1. When did Fidel Castro come to power in Cuba?


2. What are some of the most noteworthy events that occurred while he was in power?


3. Who is Raúl Castro? Under what circumstances did he become the leader of Cuba?


4. How, according to the obituary, did Fidel Castro use his power with regard to the Cuban people?


5. What happened in December 2014 that “dialed down decades of antagonism between Washington and Havana”?


After you read the obituary and other articles, answer this question for yourself: Was Fidel Castro more a “ruthless despot who trampled rights and freedoms” or a “revolutionary hero for the ages,” in your opinion? Why?


Watch the video “The Uncertain Legacy of Fidel Castro,” then summarize the current political situation in Cuba.


Predict what you think will happen in Cuba over the next few years. Will Raúl Castro stay in power? Will its political system change or remain in place? Why do you think that?

In Whose Honor

 

The Cubs Win!  

After trailing 3 games to 1, the Historic Chicago Cubs ended their 108 year drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians  8 to 7 in 10 innings; but the win certainly wasn't a 'walk in the park'...

Watch the highlights from last night's Game 7

While I felt empathy for the 'Indians' and their fans after the loss, a friend pointed out the 'sick irony' of the Indian's mascot:  Chief Wahoo.  Supporters of the 'Tribe' argue that the 'Chief' honors Native Americans and their proud heritage.   Critics would argue the caricature is an insult and racial stereotype, especially given the events happening in North Dakota even as the game was being played.

1) Do we really honor the Indians with our sports mascots?

2) How have the Indians been treated historically by the US Government?

3) Who do you side with in North Dakota; the Indians or the Oil Company? Why?

4) Who is Kelcy Warren, the Texas billionaire behind the Dakota Access Pipeline?

5) Why don't the protests against Chief Wahoo ever work?

Submit your answers on Google Classroom

Perhaps the Indians should change their mascot to the 'Caucasians?'