Sunday, November 13, 2011

6th: Current Event Assignment due 11/18

There is a lot going on in C&E this week. We have the Iron Jawed Angels reflection due on Monday, a quiz on the Constitution on Tuesday and a current event due on Friday. For this week's assignment, I would like you to find an article that deals with individual rights/liberties or can be connected to any of the 27 amendments in some way. This should give you a wide range of material...anything that involves an individual person or freedoms granted (or not granted) by the government should work. Be creative in your connection to the assignment and find something that is interesting to you. I cannot wait to read your posts. :) Don't you just love the Constitution? Have a great week. 

p.s. Check out the bonus assignment on founding fathers below if you want to give your grade a little boost. 

28 comments:

  1. Camden Van Ord
    Police team swarms Chapel Hill Protesters
    News and Observer
    November 14th, 2011
    http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/14/1642841/police-team-swarms-chapel-hill.html

    On Sunday afternoon, armed police forces invaded downtown Chapel Hill and arrested 7 protesters from the "Occupy Chapel Hill" movement. More than 20 men armed with handguns and assault rifles were called in to arrest and control a small group of rioters that had broken in to an old car dealership. Police had already been informed of an anarchist meeting that was held in that building the day prior. When police entered the building, they found barricades and traps that the anarchists and protesters had placed there. 7 were arrested and nobody was hurt.

    This article in the paper really shocked me. Never would I have thought that these protests on Franklin Street would get this out of control. What was a small, ineffective protest is now almost a rebellion by crazy anarchists. It is stated in the 1st amendment that people have the right to protest the government if they want something to change. However, the authorities are responsible for stopping these protests if it becomes a threat to society. I would say this is one of those exceptions. If these crazy protesters barricade and booby-trap an abandoned building, it can be very harmful to our community. In the article, it says that they even had a few member of this group on the roof at all time as watch. That comes off as very suspicious to people. It's not fair for people to take advantage of our god given rights by doing ridiculous things like this.

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  2. Ryan Castellano
    Obama Says GOP Candidates Are Wrong, Waterboarding is ‘Torture’
    CNN News
    November 14th 2011
    http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/obama-says-gop-candidates-are-wrong-waterboarding-is-torture/

    Two days ago Obama spoke out about his opinions on waterboarding. He clearly said that he opposed this punishment because it is against what we are as Americans. Water boarding is an interrogation technique used to simulate the act of drowning. Obama says that he thinks of it as torture and no one should go through this horrible procedure.

    I definitely agree with the president’s statement about waterboarding. We are a democratic society and we ended the use of waterboarding as a piece of interrogation because it is torture. Under the 8th amendment of the constitution, it states “no cruel or unusual punishment”. In this article, president Obama defends its non-use because it is torture. Republican candidates for the next presidential election have raised the issue of reinstating it as a means of interrogation. In my opinion this is a very harsh thing to go through. I think that no one should have to experience in their lifetime.

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  3. David Hicks // 7th Period
    Jennifer Liberto // Millionaires ask Congress to raise their taxes
    November 16th, 2011 // CNN.com
    URL: http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/16/news/economy/tax_millionaires/

    This article addresses the tax cuts for the 1% of America that has an annual income of over one million dollars a year. The tax cuts were originally created by Bush to somehow “aid” the 1% by taking a conservative approach to taxes. Fortunately (for me), the rich are taking a stand against this policy, asking to be taxed proportionally to their annual income. Their reason? "If you're fortunate, and you make more than a million dollars a year, you ought to pay more taxes." 24 millionaires marched on Capitol Hill today to voice their opinions, asking for the Bush tax cuts to expire. Considering the bottom 60% of households in the United States make less than the combined incomes of everyone on the Forbes 400 richest Americans, hopefully change will come soon.
    I found this to be an inspiring story that exemplifies John F Kennedy’s quote, “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” These men and women are acting for the good of their country and the good of their people (they put the United in States), despite having the ability to take the taxes granted to them by the government. The amendment that grants the U.S. to tax an individuals income is the 16th, which is the reason why Bush was allowed to reduce (or increase, if he wanted to) the taxes on income. Despite stereotypes of the rich as evil or greedy, I feel that this protest should change the public opinions of the top 1% of our country.

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  4. Kaitlin Jones
    Man arrested in White House shooting probe
    By the CNN Wire Staff, CNN News
    November 16, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/16/justice/dc-white-house-bullet/index.html

    A man named Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez was recently arrested for possible involvement in a shooting at the White House. The shooting took place this past Tuesday. Secret Service agents reported that they heard shots being fired approximately 700/800 feet from the White House and investigated. They later found the bullets, one deflected from the bullet-proof windows, and one in the exterior, and a car that was used by the criminals. In that car, a weapon was found that was registered to Ortega-Hernandez. Ortega-Hernandez is going to appear in federal court in Pittsburgh at 2 pm this Thursday (tomorrow).

    This article is related to the second amendment, the right to bear arms. I don't understand why someone would shoot at the White House, because most people would know that it has the upmost security and they had little to no chance or creating any damage. I think that it is good that Ortega-Hernandez was found, because no one should be allowed to shoot at the home of our president, even if we have the right to bear arms. I think it's kind of crazy that someone would think of even doing that, because there are only negative outcomes that could result from a crime like this for the criminal.

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  6. Natalie Bulik-Sullivan, Pd. 6
    Man arrested in White House shooting probe
    Author – CNN Wire Staff
    CNN, 16/11/11
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/16/justice/dc-white-house-bullet/index.html?hpt=hp_t2


    On Friday, November 11, two bullets were shot at the White House. One was deflected by ballistic glass covering a window and the other hit the southern exterior of the building. The suspect, Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, was arrested on Wednesday (16 November) in a hotel in Pennsylvania. Ortega-Hernandez was reported missing in late October from his hometown of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The suspect’s car and the weapon used (which was registered under Ortega-Hernandez’ name) were found several hundred yards from the White House. The Obama family was not staying there at the time of the incident.
    This case connects to the Constitution in several ways. Had the 2nd Amendment never been passed (which gives civilians the right to bear arms), Ortega-Hernandez would not have had easy access to a weapon with which to shoot the White House. Also, according to the Pennsylvania State Police, when Ortega-Hernandez was arrested at a hotel in Indiana, he demanded to know why he was being detained, as was his right according to the 6th Amendment. Ortega-Hernandez is scheduled to appear before a federal court in Pittsburgh on Thursday, fulfilling another right granted by the 6th Amendment, which guarantees him a speedy trial. I approve and support most of the amendments to the Constitution except for the second. I think it is an idiotic idea to give people of unknown intentions lethal weapons (or people who think it’s a good idea to shoot at a stone building...). If that amendment were repealed or there were stricter eligibility requirements for buying firearms, the crime, murder, and suicide rates in this country would drop significantly.

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  7. Julian Wilson
    6th Period
    Judge Temporarily Bars Eviction of Boston Protesters by Jess Bidgood
    The New York Times
    11/16/11
    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/us/Tents-Go-Up-at-Berkeley-Amid-Arrests-Across-Bay.html?pagewanted=1

    This article is about whether or not the Occupy Boston protesters will be removed by the police or allowed to stay. It talked about how Judge McIntyre had decided to temporarily at least prevent the protesters from being kicked out. She cited the First Amendment in her reasoning, which covers freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. There is a hearing set for December 1st, which will cover stuff like how to try a large group of people such as the Occupy Boston movement without a recognized leader, and whether the movement is truly protected under the First Amendment. The article also talked about how police have been using force against protesters in other cities and the public outcry that has come with it. This article is significant because it talks about a debate happening right now about our rights as citizens and how the Constitution should be interpreted.
    I thought this was a very interesting article and am very curious to see how the hearing goes in December. I feel like the judge was correct in preventing the eviction of the protesters, because although some people may not agree with the movement, I feel that it is very obviously covered as a Constitutional right. This relates to what we’re studying in class because it is about interpreting the First Amendment, which is about personal freedoms such as speech and assembly, which is exactly what the Occupy movement is doing. My concerns are about the level of force that is being used to clear out the protesters in some cities and also about the protesters possibly being a public nuisance. For example, the Occupy Oakland movement has gotten a lot of attention for the level of violence used by police there, which I feel is infringing on the right to a peaceful public assembly. However, I do agree with the police in San Francisco for clearing away tents that were covering a sidewalk, because could be hindering other people’s daily lives and although I believe they have the right to assemble I don’t believe they have the right to bother or inconvenience other people who choose not to be a part of the protest.

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  8. Ashley Powell
    6th
    Cities face Occupy movement’s ‘mass day’
    CNN, CNN wire staff
    11/17/11
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/us/new-york-occupy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

    This article is about the Occupy movement that is going on throughout the country. These protests have been going on for two months now. It’s talking about the police perspective of the issue of people being violent and breaking the law. The police officer says that they only arrest when it is necessary and they are breaking the law. They promise they are giving people their first amendment rights to peaceful protest. One of the most surprising things is that a former police captain got arrested for supporting the protest and showing violence. The article is also talking about the future of the Occupy movements all over the country.
    This article shows how the police officers are giving the protesters their first amendment rights. It has been very controversial if the arrests and violence by the police were necessary or not. I think that maybe some police officers might be using unnecessary force but only a small portion of them. I hope the Occupy movements succeed and the government gets the point and change the economy for the better.

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  9. Nate Hebert-6th
    Occupy Chapel Hill: Police tactics debated even at small protest
    Los Angeles Times
    November 15th 2011
    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/11/occupy-chapel-hill-police-tactics.html

    Chapel Hill’s occupy movement is very small, it consists of only a dozen small tents and people handing out fliers. These occupiers (and the police) may have crossed the line . 70 occupiers or “anarchists” entered and empty car dealership close to the occupy movement’s camp. They were charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering. The protesters understood that what they were doing was illegal, but they did it to send a message. They draped banners in the dealership saying “Stop Taking Orders--Start Taking Over.” and “Cops: Army of the 1%”. The police responded to this by deploying a tactical team armed with semiautomatic rifles and pistols. Officers pointed their weapons at bodies of unarmed individuals. This angered the occupy protesters because they thought that it was uneccesary for weapons to be brandished. Reporters were on scene and police officers handcuffed them for 15 minutes. This angered the Raleigh News and Observer.
    The participants in the taking over of the car dealership may have thought they were exercising their 1st amendment right, freedom to petition and protest. This is true until they break another law in the process, which is what they did. They broke and entered private property which is illegal. The other conflict is that police may have used to much force against unarmed individuals. I think that police should have known the situation better, like who they were coming up against. They could have at least not brandished their weapons right away.

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  10. Katie Mimmack pd 6
    New York Court Upholds Eviction of Occupy Protesters by The CNN Wire Staff
    CNN.com on 11/16/2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/15/us/new-york-occupy-eviction/index.html?hpt=us_c1

    On Tuesday, November 15th, the New York Supreme Court ruled that Occupy protesters would be able to return to Zuccotti park. However, while they were allowed to continue their peaceful protest, they were not permitted to bring their tents and generators back with them. Many demonstrators are crying foul: they claimed that this a violation of the first amendment. The judge, however, stated that this was not a violation because that amendment does not include tents, structures and generators. The operation to clear the park began around 1 am, with police in riot gear. While most left the park without resisting, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne more than 100 people were arrested.

    I think it’s very interesting that the protests were brought before a judge for the first time. The protesters have clearly been waving around the first amendment and its guarantee of freedom to peacefully assemble, almost daring the police force to challenge them on it. The police finally found a way to chip away at the protesters’ only defense: they said that their first amendment rights “cannot come at the exclusion of those who might wish to use the space safely." This article relates to what we have been studying in class because it revolves around the controversy over how far the first amendment rights given to the protesters extend. I wonder if other police forces will try to follow suit across the nation to get the protesters off public property, and if any similar matters brought to other judges will have the same effects and consequences.

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  11. Allie Rives
    6th period
    How Iran Persecutes Its Oldest Religion
    CNN, Jamesheed K. Choksy
    November 14, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/14/opinion/choksy-iran-zoroastrian/index.html?hpt=wo_mid
    "This is just another sign of religious freedom fading in the Islamic Republic.", says Choksy. The Zoroastrians are being shut down step by step. As they worship and pray, it's ruined by the sound of explosions and gunfire. While the Zoroastrians want to move forward, they're "blocked" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. Once the Arabs had subdued Iran, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians had free will to practice any religions they wished. However, the Arabs have now made it that if people don't follow their rules, they will be persecuted and converted to Islam. The Iranian people have deliberately been working hard to ruin the Zoroastrian custom.
    The ruining of their religious freedom is completely unfair. It's one thing to say that people of the country in general can't worship and particular god. Although, it's been taken too far for the Zoroastrian people. My best example for why this is wrong is the throwing down of the leader's portrait. The Zoroastrians were told to stop worshiping their leader, but I think the Iranian's action was excessive. The Constitution gives people the right to religious freedom, and I very much agree with that amendment.

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  12. Gabe Foster
    6th
    Some GOP candidates support waterboarding but CIA reluctant
    CNN, Pam Benson
    11/16/11
    http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/16/some-gop-candidates-support-waterboarding-but-cia-reluctant/
    During the recent GOP debate several candidates including, Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, said if elected they would bring back waterboarding and other tactics like it. The CIA however is not sure if they would even go back to such techniques. In 2002 waterboarding, an enhanced interrogation technique that simulates drowning was used by the CIA to try to gain more information on potential terrorist plots. The Bush administration approved these tactics in secret. Some former CIA agents say they would not use enhanced interrogation techniques even if they were approved while others say it’s a situational thing and you cannot decide unless you know all the facts and circumstances of the situation.
    I think tactics like waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques are all forms of torture and should never be used. In our own constitution it’s made very clear that cruel and unusual punishment should not be allowed. If we were to use it we would be contradicting ourselves and going against our beliefs. If we heard people were doing this to our captured soldiers people would be furious. If we see this as something so horrible why should we ourselves do it?

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  13. Crescentia Cho/6th period
    White House Shooting Suspect Called Obama ‘the Anti-Christ’
    David Jackson and Donna Leinwand Leger
    November 17, 2011
    http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-11-17/obama-assassination-attempt/51271096/1

    Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez was charged of attempting to assassinate Obama or his staff. Ortega had become agitated with the government and Obama. A witness said that he wanted to hurt Obama. He was accused to shooting at the White House two times. If he is found guilty he could face prison for life. In Pittsburgh he made his appearance and was found guilty. He will be taken to Washington to face the charges.

    I was shocked to hear that someone would actually try to assassinate Obama in the 20th century. This deals with the 5th and 6th amendment because in the 5th amendment it protects citizens from self incrimination. Ortega can say “I plead the fifth” if he wants to because he doesn’t have to admit anything and the state can find proof to find him guilty. In the 6th amendment citizens are entitled to a lawyer and a jury. Even though he is already guilty his lawyer can help him out.

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  14. Grant DeSelm – 6th
    Afghan women strike blow for equality
    BBC, Many Authors
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15723708

    In Afghanistan, women were not allowed to take part in any type of sport. Recently that has changed. Taking part in a sport is very new for these Afghan women. They are taking advantage of this freedom they have by striking a blow for quality. The sport they participate in is boxing, yes, boxing. Since the Taliban is gone, no one can tell them not to box and they are expressing their freedoms. They used to ban women from all sports and, in fact, they used to be killed in the arena they box in today. Many Afghans take their new sport seriously and are training for the Olympics in 2012 in London. In Afghanistan, where many husbands do not let their wives to go out in public, this is a big step for women’s rights. The women see it as exercise and health, which is good for them. They are also expressing their freedoms and enjoying it.
    I think this is a great leap for women’s rights in Afghanistan. The males used to not let the females out of the house and now some fathers are letting their teenagers go out and get exercise through boxing. A lot of the girls in the article now have a sense of power and dominance inside themselves and that helps with social interactions. One guy was trying to take one of the young girls out of a book store and into his car and she punched him square in the face. She didn’t help him up. There was lots of blood coming from his nose and mouth. “When I punch someone I will never go back to treat them, because they have to learn from their mistakes,” she says.

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  15. Title: Police:10-year-old draws a pistol to protect his Halloween candy
    Author: Douglas Stanglin
    Published: November 2, 2011
    Source: USAtoday.com
    URL: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/11/police-10-year-old-draws-a-pistol-to-protect-his-halloween-candy/1?csp=obinsite

    On Halloween a 10-year-old boy pulled out a pistol on a woman. The woman jokingly said that she was going to take the boys candy from them. The next thing she knew the boy responded with, "No you're not....." and pulled out his gun. She then proceeded to call the police. They later found out that the gun had no clip in it and the boy's brother was also armed. They were returned to their parents and discovered that they got the guns from their grandfather without his permission.

    I honestly think that it is funny that a little boy would pull out a gun on a woman for her saying she was going to take his candy. He has the right bare arms according to the Amendments, but since he is a minor he does not have all these rights fully yet. I do not think that it was in the right situation or safe account though. Also since he is only 10-years-old I really do not think it is appropriate. He is also a minor so he can not get in much trouble for doing so, but if he was an adult in the same circumstances he could be put in jail for threatening one's safety. In the end I am very happy that no one got hurt and everyone got their candy!

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  17. Alex Walker, 6th Period
    In Shooting at White House, Attempted Assassination Charge
    Author: Charlie Savage
    Source: nytimes.com (New York Times)
    Publishing Date: November 17, 2011
    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/us/attempted-assassination-charge-in-shooting-at-white-house.html?ref=us

    On Thursday November 17, federal authorities charged Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez with the attempted assassination of President Obama. Earlier in the week he had been arrested on suspicion for shooting at the White House’s residential floors from his car. The car was then seen leaving the scene of the crime in a hurry. Inside it, a semi-automatic rifle which was registered to Mr. Ortega-Hernandez was found along with the sweatshirt he had been wearing earlier and a few empty bullet shells. Also, his parents reported him missing about a month ago. Lastly, his friends testified that Mr. Ortega-Hernandez believed President Obama to be the “Antichrist” and that he “needed to be taken care of.”

    Overall, I find it disturbing that someone was able to fire off rounds of a semi-automatic rifle at the White House. According to the second amendment, though, citizens are guaranteed the right to bear arms. Although this amendment was put in place for a good reason, to allow for self protection, you can always assume that there are people out there who would abuse that right and commit crimes. Therefore the government has to be prepared for events like this to occur. As Mr. Bongino, a former part of the Secret Service, said in the article, “The Secret Service’s job is not to prevent every bad thing from happening. You can’t prevent bad people from doing bad things. What you can do is stop bad outcomes.”

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  18. Catherine Romaine
    Does Constitution Protect Camping Protesters?
    By Kari Huus
    MSNBC
    11/17/11
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45331962/ns/us_news-life/

    This article is about Occupy Wall Street. The mayor of NYC banned many protesters from Zuccotti Park. They are allowed to return to the park but they cannot sleep there. The protesters say that because of the 1st amendment, they have the right to assembly. However, the mayor argues that this protest could potentially harm the health and safety of the people. One of his main jobs is to protect the health and safety of the people and that comes before the amendments. The courts decided that they are allowed to protest but it cannot be on Madison Avenue during rush hour. The protesters think that they set these restrictions just because they want the protest to end, not because they are concerned for their health and safety.
    I picked this article because it’s a very important, national event. It has been in the news for a very long time. Many other protests have started all over the country because of it. These protests are a huge controversy with the first amendment. Do these protests really risk the health and safety of the citizens? And if they do, does the freedom of peaceful assembly come before the health and safety of the citizens? These are all important questions that the government needs to answer because these protests have become a huge national issue.

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  19. Colin Bergey / Period 6
    'Occupy' Protesters, police clash during 'Day of Action'
    by David Ariosto
    CNN / 11/17/11
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/us/new-york-occupy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

    Many 'Occupy' protesters around the country were arrested on the 17th, on this "mass day of action." Over 700 hundred people have been arrested in the last month. Protesters have not been arrested for protesting, which is their first amendment right. They have been arrested for breaking the law by disrupting traffic, trespassing, illegal drug use and not moving when told. The protesters are not afraid to use violence, police officers are being hurt every day from violent protesters. Some have had to be hospitalized. On the 17th there were mass arrests in New York, Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Denver, mostly for blocking streets and refusing to move.

    These protesters obviously have the right to assembly thanks to the first amendment. But, the protesters sound like a group of unorganized people who have little respect for the law. I hope they can come up with other ways of protesting that don't include being arrested.

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  20. Carly Narotsky Pd.6
    Soldier pleads not guilty of plotting to kill troops at Fort Hood
    Author - Tracy Sabo
    CNN
    November 17, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/justice/texas-fort-hood-plot/index.html?hpt=us_c2

    Way back in July, a U.S. soldier named Naser Jason Abdo was arrested in Killeen, Texas, where Fort Hood is. He was absent without leave from his station at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was allegedly building a bomb to be set off at a restaurant in Fort Hood where many of the army members are frequently patrons. Now in November, he was charged with six counts including attempted murder of federal officers and the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He pleaded not guilty to all counts at a hearing before a federal judge Thursday. He can now use his rights of the accused that are stated in the 5th, 6th, and 7th amendments to the constitution, which include no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, the right to a lawyer, and a speedy and public trial.
    If Abdo actually committed those crimes that he was charged with, that’s obviously horrible. I can’t imagine why someone would plot to murder fellow soldiers. It also doesn’t make sense why he would go so far out of the way - from Kentucky to Texas - to kill some troops, other than the fact that Fort Hood is the largest Army installation. However, if Abdo is innocent like he says, I’m very glad he has the rights given by the 5th, 6th and 7th amendments. Hopefully he will have a very fair trial, and the verdict will reflect the truth.

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  21. Anna Zhang 6th
    Mass arrests at Occupy Wall Street protests
    Laura Trevelyan
    BCC News
    17 November 2011
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15784439
    Thursday, November 17, was the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street protest. The protestors started the day off by marching through New York’s financial district, and during rush hour they accumulated at the subway stations to protest. As Thursday evening fell, the demonstrators started their march across Brooklyn Bridge. The police were told to only arrest those that were not accommodating peacefully. However, violence broke out as protestors took some of their frustration out on the police. One police man had to get about 20 stitches in his right hand due to a piece of thrown glass. There were several scuffles between the police and the demonstrators. Other protests around the nation resulted in more arrests.
    I understand that the people are protesting, but I don't think violence is an answer. It gives others more reason to criticize the protestors. Ultimately, I think I respect the people for standing up for what they want and not backing down. I mean, winter is approaching and camping out in the middle of the street has to have its inconveniences, but they shouldn’t resort to punching others to get their ideas across.

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  22. Mikko rich-voorhees 6th
    BBC world news, November 17th 2011
    Mass arrested at Occupy Wall Street protests
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15784439
    Occupy protests across the country are progressively sending our nation into an anarchy. In the article it describes not only the group of protestors being arrested for walking on the Brooklyn Bridge, but in other areas across the country. There has been violence on the side of the protesters too throwing glass and bottles of vinegar at the police. You may think, this is completely unconstitutional by the police trying to shut down their freedom of protest. However once a danger is brought into the situation that right is nullified and the officers are required to shut down the ferocity. It is taken over the top though, along with the violent protesters being arrested over 60 people were sent to jail for walking in the street of the Brooklyn bridge, this is similar to the charges placed against the suffragists in Iron Jawed Angels where they wee taken in as political prisoners for “obstructing traffic.”
    Myself I plan on staying neutral on the occupy movement with no strong opinion towards wither side. However I do disagree with the actions of the police in this situation, even here they called in a swat team to evacuate people from a building, true they were not supposed to be there, but you don’t need such overkill. So I see how this could be considered a violation of their first amendment rights, although I don’t think they would have much chance pleading there case considering how much evidence the cops have against them.

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  23. Tim Bogan – 6th Period
    Occupy Denver activists charged with felonies
    By the CNN Wire Staff
    CNN, November 17, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/us/colorado-occupy-felonies/index.html?hpt=us_c2

    While Occupy Wall Street protests originated two months ago in New York City, the movement has spread to other cities, inciting activists to clash with police. Sunday afternoon, two men protesting in Denver, Colorado, were arrested and charged with felonies. Two police officers were injured when protestors got angered as the officers attempted to remove a food table from a public park. Many of the protestors surrounded a police car, encouraged by one of the men arrested. Another man was charged with a felony count of second-degree assault on a police officer, as well as misdemeanor charges of obstruction, resisting arrest and engaging in a riot. Demonstrators attempted to occupy the Colorado capitol, which is not allowed, and officers were successful in pushing them back by means of pepper-ball guns.

    I believe that those arrested were so for the correct reasons, assault and obstruction of traffic have been previously stated felonies that are not protected during a protest. Although, I do disagree with the use of pepper-ball guns by the Denver police on innocent protestors. By the 1st amendment, they have the right to peaceful protest, which is exactly what they were doing. The article states that occupying the Colorado Capitol was not allowed. I found this to be strange, but it could have been what permitted the police to use such a brutal method on protestors. The Occupy Movements, in my opinion, are a bunch of people who are too lazy to find their own source of income and expect the government to provide it for them. While this may not be the case for everyone, from what I have heard, it is the majority of the demonstrators.

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  24. Maddie McNeal – Period 6
    Protesters and police clash during 'day of action' in New York
    CNN – CNN Staff Wire
    November 17, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/us/new-york-occupy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
    Since being evicted from the Lower Manhattan campsite of the Occupy Wall Street movement, protestors have become more aggravated. This morning the police and protestors were involved in a riot. It has been stated that 177 protestors have been arrested and some police officers have been injured. Some of these officers claim to have been splashed with a mystery liquid that caused a burning sensation. While the protestors were marching, the police barricaded Zuccotti Park in order to keep the protestors off of public roads and walkways. The Mayor of New York did say that the some protestors are pursuing violence but that most remain peaceful and are not causing harm to the city. The protestors are claiming that the police used excessive force therefore abusing their power. The main idea is that the police want to stop illegal actions like drug use yet the protestors have the right to peaceful assembly which is given to them in the First Amendment.

    Obviously the protestors have both the right to peaceful assembly and to petition the government. I agree with the fact that they have a right to be there and let their cause be known. However, if they are breaking the law they should be arrested. On the other hand the police should not use excessive force when carrying out their jobs. Physically harming your citizens is not going to do any good for your community and according to the 8th Amendment excessive punishment is Unconstitutional. This quote in the article sums up the way I feel: “Howard Wolfson, a New York City deputy mayor, vowed, ‘We'll make sure, if people want to peacefully protest, they have the right to.’ But, he added, ‘if people break the law, we'll have to deal with that.’”

    ReplyDelete
  25. Man Arrested in White House Shooting Probe
    By the CNN Wire Staff, CNN News
    November 17, 2011
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/16/justice/dc-white-house-bullet/index.html

    In this article Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez was arrested for shooting at the White House. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez was claimed to be about 700 or 800 yards away from the White House when he fired multiple shots toward the White House. It wasn't until' later that investigators found the bullet shells. One penetrated the outer glass of the window, but it was bullet proof glass. The other was found around the site. They also found a car used by the criminals and inside the car they found a weapon registered by Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez. They have been looking for him since and they found him in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He appeared in court yesterday at 2 pm.
    This article has to do with the second amendment, the right to bear arms. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez had to right to have that weapon but I don’t know why he would ever attempt to shoot at the White House with it. The White House is so over-protectived there was no way he could make any damage. Even if he does have the right to bear arms he shouldn’t being using his right to try to shoot at the President's house.

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  26. Emma Beck
    7th
    Police Arrest Chapel Hill Protesters Who Occupied Vacant Business
    Katelyn Ferral
    November 13th, 2011
    newsobserver.com
    http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/11/13/1641362/activists-take-over-vacant-franklin.html

    Eight occupy Chapel Hill demonstrators were arrested on Sunday for breaking and entering. They broke into a empty car dealership, set up posters and had meetings in there. On Sunday the police surrounded the building with semiautomatic guns. They forced 13 people to the ground and handcuffed them. The people that had been outside the building were later let go but eight who were inside the building were put on the Chapel Hill Transit, cuffed, and taken to the police station.

    I think that it is good for people to protest and to show what they believe in but I think that they went a little too far breaking into a building. I also think that it was a little much for the police to show up with semiautomatic guns. I think that the police should have done something before hand to show their displeasure and to tell them to leave. I think that treating people and using violence is the wrong way to go. I think that it makes people angry and makes them want to fight back.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Collin Vilen
    6th Period
    When wearing a US flag T-Shirt is wrong
    http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/opinion/navarrette-t-shirt-controversy/index.html?
    hpt=us_t4

    In San Fransisco, a group of students wore T-shirts with the American flag to a school of
    many different backgrounds. This creates a very charged atmosphere, but even more so,
    is the fact that they wore it on Cinco De Mayo. Students were asked by the principal to
    take them off or turn them inside out but they refused. Some of the students were sent
    home. The District Court dismissed the case, but many people are wondering why it was
    unexceptable to wear. After all, we live in America, and people should be proud of that,
    right?
    I think the school did overreact, even though it was Cinco De Mayo. If it was a different
    shirt that was representing a country other than the US, I think that would be alright. But
    people here should be proud to live here and spread American values around, not be sent
    home for expressing them. This issue is very contoversial because students dont have
    full rights in school. They may be asked to take off the shirts if it is a distraction. I think
    the american flag should not be a distraction because it represents our country. This is
    related to what we are talking about through the first amendment. It gives us the right to
    free speech and expression, like wearing a shirt with the American Flag. My concern in
    this article is that americans have lost the pride in our country, but I think we need to be
    proud of the US if we are to come back powerful in this world.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Paul Miller 6

    Chapel Hill reacts to Occupy raid

    By Jeanna Smialek and Brian Fanney

    CNN

    11/15/11

    http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2011/11/town_reacts_to_sundays_occupy_raid

    This article by Jeanna Smialek describes the police’s actions and tactics towards the protestors in an abandoned
    car dealership. Police said they had to take action and retake the land because the protestors took over private
    property which is illegal. They arrested seven people and dispersed the rest of the large crowd. This protest was
    not in relation to the occupy Chapel Hill but they were mad that at a “peaceful” protest people were arrested
    and most had automatic weapons pointed at their heads and body. This all happened at the Yates motor vehicle
    dealership, even some reporters were arrested at this but for reasons because media is not allowed on private
    property without owner consent. Police found bas of rocks and flammable materials inside the building that the
    protestors had gathered, some anarchists were apart of the group as well. This is significant because it is causing
    great unrest and making many people mad within the community for everyone’s actions involved.

    I think that people on both sides were wrong. The police never should have brought automatic weapons to
    the protest, I think only semi because they could have handled it without the threat on machine gun fire. I also
    think that the protestors shouldn’t have taken over private property and tried to find another way to convey
    their message with peace and on public land obstructing nothing. People have the right to protest in the bill of
    rights but that is taken away when you are breaking the law by breaking and entering and trespassing on private
    property. In class we are learning about the amendments and bill of rights and this relates because it talks about
    people rights and if they were violated or not.

    ReplyDelete