Friday, April 29, 2011
Check Your Facts
I think this video from MSNBC does work. It is just informing the public in a semi-brief clip but it really gets to the point. It is trying to show how the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, should really check his facts before he speaks. In this clip it talks about how things he says aren't always true. They talk about the true fact and then show him saying something different. They are trying to make people realize that you shouldn't always believe what you hear.
This first false thing Trump said had to do with the 9/11 terrorists. He said that the families of those terrorists had left a day before the attack happened. First there was never even any evidence that the families were in the U.S. And second when the 9/11 Commission Report came out, it said that Osama's family had left days after the attack after being screened by the FBI.
The second thing Trump tried to say was that Obama wasn't born in the United States. He said his Certificate of Live Birth didn't have a serial number and it wasn't signed. Both of those were false statements. Officials of Hawaii say that the certificate verifies that the President was born there.
This just shows that you should really think about who you are going to vote for president. I also thought this video was straight to the point and got its point across.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
New York Times Co. v. United States
The undeclared war in Vietnam caused a great deal of public protest during the late 1960s and early 1970s. A political scientist, Daniel Ellsberg, working for the Pentagon stole and copied a classified paper. The paper was entitled, "History of United States Decision-Making Process of Vietnam Policy" which was then published by the New York Times. The government stopped the Times from publishing the papers. The court sided with the New York Times in a 6-3 vote.
I don't really agree with this decision because one it was confidential papers and two they did not have consent of whoever published it. The public should know how the government makes decisions but not in this type of fashion. The state and foreign policy were in jeopardy in this type of case and the New York Times shouldn't have been able to release the Pentagon Papers.
The per curiam decision made in the Times case was that "any system of prior restraints of expression comes to this Court bearing a heavy presumption against its constitutional validity." This means that the New York Times is allowed to publish these types of things even though it might spark issues. I don't really agree with this because the government should try and maintain order.
I don't really agree with this decision because one it was confidential papers and two they did not have consent of whoever published it. The public should know how the government makes decisions but not in this type of fashion. The state and foreign policy were in jeopardy in this type of case and the New York Times shouldn't have been able to release the Pentagon Papers.
The per curiam decision made in the Times case was that "any system of prior restraints of expression comes to this Court bearing a heavy presumption against its constitutional validity." This means that the New York Times is allowed to publish these types of things even though it might spark issues. I don't really agree with this because the government should try and maintain order.
Gitlow v. New York
Benjamin Gitlow was convicted for violating the 1902 New York Criminal Anarchy Act. The act defined criminal anarchy as "the doctrine that organized government should be overthrown by force or violence, or by assassination of the executive heard or any of the executive officials of government, or by any unlawful means." Gitlow had been charged with teaching the necessity and duty to overthrow the government in two publications based largely on Marx's and Engels' Communist Manifesto. In a seven to two vote, they upheld Gitlow's conviction.
I think it was a good decision because they need to maintain order as the government. Also what Gitlow was talking about may have ruined the government. I think if someone is trying to overthrow the government publicly, then it shouldn't be allowed. A lot of people will just go with the flow because they want something to follow. People are very impressionable so it isn't in the governments best interest to let people hear these types of things.
Criminal anarchy; "the doctrine that organized government should be overthrown by force or violence, or by assassination of the executive heard or any of the executive officials of government, or by any unlawful means." It is good that the government doesn't allow people to try and overthrow the government because without a government it wouldn't be as good as a society.
I think it was a good decision because they need to maintain order as the government. Also what Gitlow was talking about may have ruined the government. I think if someone is trying to overthrow the government publicly, then it shouldn't be allowed. A lot of people will just go with the flow because they want something to follow. People are very impressionable so it isn't in the governments best interest to let people hear these types of things.
Gitlow's publication and circulation of sixteen thousand copies of the Left-Wing Manifesto violated this Criminal Anarchy Act. The pamphlet went on to advocate the creation of a socialist system through the use of massive strikes and "class action...in any form."
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas is arguably the biggest court case. It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson which stated "separate but equal" was no longer true. Blacks were denied the right to go to white schools which were far superior than black schools. The courts decision was in favor of Brown that blacks could go to integrated white schools.
I agree with the decision full on that blacks should be allowed in white schools. It wasn't fair that Brown's daughter couldn't go to a school that was a couple of blocks away just because it was a white school. I think that it was good that Chief Justice Earl Warren passed this because in his previous years as governor of California, he had mandated the internment of the Japanese. It is kind of ironic that he was the one to approve this after such a harsh ruling earlier.
This court ruling helped the civil rights movement a great deal. If it were not for this case, who knows where we would be today. The difference between this case and Sweatt v. Painter was that Sweatt dealt with universities, and the University of Texas Law School in particular, while Brown dealt with public education facilities for grades K-12.
I agree with the decision full on that blacks should be allowed in white schools. It wasn't fair that Brown's daughter couldn't go to a school that was a couple of blocks away just because it was a white school. I think that it was good that Chief Justice Earl Warren passed this because in his previous years as governor of California, he had mandated the internment of the Japanese. It is kind of ironic that he was the one to approve this after such a harsh ruling earlier.
This court ruling helped the civil rights movement a great deal. If it were not for this case, who knows where we would be today. The difference between this case and Sweatt v. Painter was that Sweatt dealt with universities, and the University of Texas Law School in particular, while Brown dealt with public education facilities for grades K-12.
Gideon v. Wainwright
Clarence Gideon was arrested for breaking into a Florida pool hall with intention to burglarize it. Gideon requested a court-appointed attorney and was denied because Florida only provided free counsel only in capital cases. At court, Gideon pleaded not guilty and conducted his own defense. He was found guilty and had to serve five years of imprisonment. When Gideon was in prison, he submitted a handwritten petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to accept his case on appeal.
I do think it was a good decision to approve Gideon's appeal because it made it so everyone could have a counsel if they couldn't afford one. If the person isn't appointed a lawyer, then they could have no idea what to say or what not to say. If both sides have a lawyer it is more fair to both sides because they know the law more than anyone.
When Gideon was in prison, he wrote a petition requesting an appeal on his case in the U.S. Supreme Court. I think this is very good because it is a person sticking up for themselves. If he had never done this, there wouldn't have been such a monumental case. This video shows parts of his case and how he clearly asked for a counsel and then the judge said he could only ask for one if it was dealing with the death penalty.
I do think it was a good decision to approve Gideon's appeal because it made it so everyone could have a counsel if they couldn't afford one. If the person isn't appointed a lawyer, then they could have no idea what to say or what not to say. If both sides have a lawyer it is more fair to both sides because they know the law more than anyone.
When Gideon was in prison, he wrote a petition requesting an appeal on his case in the U.S. Supreme Court. I think this is very good because it is a person sticking up for themselves. If he had never done this, there wouldn't have been such a monumental case. This video shows parts of his case and how he clearly asked for a counsel and then the judge said he could only ask for one if it was dealing with the death penalty.
Miranda v. Arizona
In 1966, the Miranda decision actually dealt with four similar cases dealing with constitutional issues. The persons involved had been convicted on the basis of confessions made after very long and miserable interrogation. None of these people were informed of their right to counsel and to remain silent. In the title case, Ernesto Miranda, had been arrested by the police for questioning on charges of rape and kidnapping. Miranda wasn't advised of his right to an attorney nor his right to remain silent. After his interrogation, he signed a written confession. He was then found guilty later.
I agree with the decision because the Fifth Amendment clearly states that "no person. . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." I don't agree that he was let off the hook but it does allow people to be aware of their rights. If a criminal doesn't know his rights, then it's not really fair to him.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees that you don't have to tell on yourself. That is why when someone asks you a question and you don't want to answer, you can say I plead the fifth, which means you don't have to answer. It is better than having someone lie, rather then just keeping quiet. That way you can get no information rather than false information.
This whole decision means that when you are being arrested, you must be read your "Miranda" rights. It makes it so that when you are being arrested you are more aware of your rights. Your Miranda rights are; “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”
I agree with the decision because the Fifth Amendment clearly states that "no person. . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." I don't agree that he was let off the hook but it does allow people to be aware of their rights. If a criminal doesn't know his rights, then it's not really fair to him.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees that you don't have to tell on yourself. That is why when someone asks you a question and you don't want to answer, you can say I plead the fifth, which means you don't have to answer. It is better than having someone lie, rather then just keeping quiet. That way you can get no information rather than false information.
This whole decision means that when you are being arrested, you must be read your "Miranda" rights. It makes it so that when you are being arrested you are more aware of your rights. Your Miranda rights are; “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
In 1978, Allan Bakke was denied admittance into the Medical School of the University of California of Davis. At this time, the school used different admission processes for minority students. Allan Bakke, a white applicant has reasonably good grades and was denied admittance. When he was denied, he sued the Regents, the University's governing board, for a place at the medical school. California's Superior Court found that the special admissions program violated the federal and state constitutions and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Even after that, Bakke was still denied into the school. On appeal in the California Supreme Court, they supported Bakke, citing the Fourteenth Amendment, he was admitted into school. The Regents then appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
I think it was a good decision because just because they are a minority doesn't mean they should have it any easier. If someone wants to make it into the medical school, then they should have to work as hard as the next person. This doesn't make it equal, this gives other people an easier opportunity. That is why I think when you apply to college you shouldn't have to put your ethnicity because it shouldn't matter. They should only look at your grades and what really matters. If they have your ethnicity, they might take you because they want diversity.
According to the decision, the Fourteenth Amendment isn't aimed at any particular minority or minorities. The Amendment was framed in universal terms, without reference to color, ethnic origin, or condition of prior servitude. I thought this video was pretty interesting because in the end, it says "search on" which is very broad yet powerful. If Allan Bakke didn't "search on" then this wouldn't have happened.
I think it was good than Bakke challenged the system because he fought for what he believed. If he didn't and just kept quiet, none of this would have happened. I think it was good because he was being treated unfair because he wasn't a minority.
I think it was a good decision because just because they are a minority doesn't mean they should have it any easier. If someone wants to make it into the medical school, then they should have to work as hard as the next person. This doesn't make it equal, this gives other people an easier opportunity. That is why I think when you apply to college you shouldn't have to put your ethnicity because it shouldn't matter. They should only look at your grades and what really matters. If they have your ethnicity, they might take you because they want diversity.
According to the decision, the Fourteenth Amendment isn't aimed at any particular minority or minorities. The Amendment was framed in universal terms, without reference to color, ethnic origin, or condition of prior servitude. I thought this video was pretty interesting because in the end, it says "search on" which is very broad yet powerful. If Allan Bakke didn't "search on" then this wouldn't have happened.
I think it was good than Bakke challenged the system because he fought for what he believed. If he didn't and just kept quiet, none of this would have happened. I think it was good because he was being treated unfair because he wasn't a minority.
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