Part C

The importance of amendments 12-15 –
The 12th amendment gave people the right to be able to vote for their presidents and vice presidents. The 13th amendment abolished slavery, the 14th amendment gave equal rights to all citizens of the United States and the 15th amendment made it possible for all citizens of the United States able to vote. I would agree that these amendments were a major turning point in US history. The 13th amendment was huge in many ways, slavery was a large issue for all people of color and before the 13th amendment was ratified there were numerous problems regarding slavery. Then right after the 13th amendment the 14th amendment gave equal rights to all citizens, which made more things available for people who were recently restricted form doing things. Lastly the 15th amendment was also a large step in US history; it gave everyone the right to be able to vote without discrimination of race or previous jobs. These are important amendments because they mark a great change in US history after years of slavery and discrimination there was finally a large change that made a huge effect on people of color. Although the amendment seemed all well and good there were some restrictions to the new amendments. For example the 13th amendment did abolish slavery and the act of forcing people to work but if you committed a crime you were most likely going to be forced to do some type of involuntary work while in confinement. Also while the law did abolish slavery there were several states at the time that still had legal slavery.


Why I think the amendments were passed when they were-
Honestly all I can think of is that the people at the time wanted a change. The Civil War was also a big deal and I could only imagine that it only helped to further move along the many changes in law that were happening at the time. I would like to think that people began to see that people of color were no different than other people and that there was no reason to prolong the suffering of slaves. I noticed that there were some big gaps in when the laws were ratified. The 12th amendment was ratified in 1804. The 13th amendment wasn’t ratified until 1865. This makes me think that everyone was fine with slavery until a war erupted and it took that event to move things along in history. Then another 3 years for equal rights then 2 years for equal voting rights. Wow. Change was happening but very slowly, even after a war.

The amendment that I think was important (16-27)
I like the 26th amendment. I think it’s important because it gives you more responsibly and power as a citizen. We don’t vote very often for our representatives and being able to vote once you’re 18 sounds pretty good. As citizens we don’t get any power in the government and voting for who leads us every 4 years is all we get, so why not take advantage of that? I honestly think that a lot of people don’t vote anyway, but 18 is a ripe age when people start to realize their responsibilities and they take action in exercising their rights. Even if it is only once in a blue moon.

Thoughts on Wal-Mart worker

I think this shows American's at their worst, the facts show : a mob of angry people killed a man to save a couple bucks on some clothes and electronics. When you put it like that of course it sounds horrible and the article managed to successfully describe Americans as "savages". And to a point the article makes the reader believe that we as American's are savages who only care about making money and saving money. But the author of the article also managed to not get any quotes from people who were shopping. The article puts down anyone who wanted to save money for that day. I agree that the people didn't have to be that extreame but the words the author used did sound a bit extreame. Maybe it would have been a little bit more convincing if there were alternative view points.

Analysis to Thanksgiving & Black Friday

I didn’t ask my family in the middle of dinner “What happened to the Indians?” I didn’t observe the AWOL while stuffing my face or going shopping with my family the following morning. I realize that America never really looks at the history of things, we just find reasons to celebrate and get together to eat and drink and have fun. Yes it sounds selfish but that’s just the way it is. No one is celebrating the death of the Indians on this day; we are getting close to friends and family and spending quality time with one another. I don’t really see a reason for not celebrating a special time to be with family to enjoy one another. To not celebrate Thanksgiving would be completely idiotic. And to express reasons for not celebrating Thanksgiving a day before the holiday to a bunch of teens whose stomachs are growling and excited to be with family and on break is just cruel and usual punishment. Those people can sulk at home alone all they want, but they have no right to ruin it for the rest of us. As for black Friday, it’s amazing to get up early and buy what you want and what you need for cheap prices. What’s the harm in that?! Christmas is coming up, and prices are going up so… black Friday is perfect for gifts for friends, family and not to mention teachers who have a completely pessimistic outlook on America and its values. Happy Holidays :-)

Part B

Full Faith & Credit-
I interpreted this part of the constitution to mean that each state of the United States of America can establish their own laws. Also that it is okay for other states to differ from of agree with the laws of another state. For gay marriage this basically means that a gay couple can go somewhere else and get married within the United States, if they can’t get married where they are at the time. Unless by some unanimous miraculous decision all of the states have the same laws on gay marriage then…they are SOL if the odds aren’t in their favor.

Supreme Law of the Land & No Religious Test-
The supreme law of the land is the constitution. In my opinion the no religious test can be good and bad. I believe that religion shouldn’t matter if the person has good values and wants the best for the USA. If religion was a big factor in electing president that may slant the way people see him. If the president was an atheist, and there were people in office that for their own personal reasons had something against atheist things could go wrong. By not including religion I think we avoid a huge trap. I think it is very significant to not include religion as a lens to view people in office.

Lethal Injection & Electric Chair. 8th Amendment-
Well lethal injection and the electric chair do sound like cruel and unusual punishments, but then again in America who follows the rules. Yes, the bill of rights is something that the government is supposed to follow but who knows. In the eyes of the government, it seems to look like nothing they do is wrong and bending something as powerful as the Bill of Rights is “ok” the government will do what they want, but come on guys can you at least try to hold the unlawful acts till we get to the double digit amendments? I think it has to do with the extent of crime done by the wrong do-er In my opinion this amendment can be one looked at in different ways, it’s possible that the government meant to say: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. UNLESS WE SAY SO”. Oh well.



The 4th Amendment contradicted by MTA and others-
This is a tough one, because I have no idea when the last time the Bill of Rights was updated. Back in the 1700’s I doubt they had as many thefts as we have now or even ½ as much of the crime we have now. It also depends on the particular person’s definition of “unlawful search”. It’s plain and simple, if you look suspicious then you get searched and depending on the cop or superior searching your possessions it could just be because of your skin color. It seems as though everything that is done today goes against some law or some amendment and unlawful searching just adds to the list of people not following the laws.

Part A

Paraphrase the Preamble- Basically it sounds like a sworn oath saying that the people of America in order to keep balance, a perfect country, justice for all citizens, and peace in all homes certify the constitution.

The Legislative Powers and Responsibilities-
• The power to collect taxes
• Borrow $ on the “tab” of USA
• Keep balance between foreign countries and regulate $
• Propose and make laws pertaining to bankruptcy and naturalization
• Regulate the value of domestic $ and foreign $ and regulate the standard weights and measures
• Make punishments for use of counterfeit $
• To establish a way for mail to be brought and sent
• To support the study of science and other useful arts by promising for a certain amount of time, the rights and findings for the inventors and authors
• To make laws that aren’t as powerful as laws made by the supreme court
• To classify and penalize wrong doings in the high seas and offences against the law of nations
• To declare war and to issue letters of marque and reprisal also to make laws pertaining to captures during war
• To build and support armies
• To provide and maintain a navy
• To make rules for the government and regulate the land and navy
• To provide for organizing the army with weapons

The Executive Powers and Responsibilities-
• Agree and pass bills from congress

The Judicial Powers and Responsibilities-
• Power over inferior courts
• Jurisdiction over all cases held

Feelings about taking notes and reading –
I’m not gonna lie the constitution is boring literature, and written in ways that are quite difficult for the average American to read. The laws and articles once comprehended sound pretty basic and self explanatory. My note taking process wasn’t really a long process, I kind of just read it off the computer and looked up words I didn’t know and tried the best I could to paraphrase.

Questions
• How often is the constitution updated or changed, if it is changed or updated at all?
• How can “we the people” be sure that our leaders in office even follow the laws of the constitution?
• Does “we the people” even include us the people?
• Are foreign dealers aware of the laws on the constitution?
• Are the laws ever bent?

Reaction to Election!!

To be honest, i am happy that we have a BLACK President. No matter how many people (Andy) try to give as many reasons as they can to make sure that they try and persuade as many others as they can that Barack Obama is by all means not black. Well those people obviously need a reality check. There are countless Americans that are extreamly happy that we finally have a change.

US Democrats need someone to look out for us, and not another republican to come in to the white house and mess up America more than it is right now. I am one of the people that apprciate a large percentage of Americans that want to make a change. Finally a BLACK President. And to be completly honest, race matters yes, but so does change

Make up Work

Comments!!

Kati-Hey Kati
Its kinda late, but i just saw ur vid for like the 1st time and it was amazing. It was really believable. I could tell that music is a really huge component of your life and you display it proudly.

Sam Cotto-Sam
Nice video, the song went really well. the start was really good, it was a 1st person pov in to your life. from the pictures you can tell that you really care alot about your friends

Chelsea- Chelsea
I loved ur video
i like the fact that you made your family a big component in your video. it really shows what you value.

Esther- Taurus!
Your video was really good. you showed alot of components, like your friends and vollyeyball and family. the song you chose blended well too