April Rogers

PS101OL Graded Assignment Lesson 8

October 7, 2012

Are there any proper answers in the degradation and exploitation of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Graib prison?  Excuses are not acceptable.  In April of 2004, the world was made grossly aware that US soldiers shamefully performed ghastly and disgusting acts on Iraqi prisoners within the Abu Graib detention facility.  We all can recall the photos of hooded, nude prisoners sometimes being tortured with dogs and electrical devices.  Then President George Bush offered up an apology and defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld took “full responsibility”.  Our reading indicates that President Obama took further steps by releasing documentation laying out legal justification for prisoner abuse.  Only then did the world discover that it was okay for US military personnel to slam Iraqi prisoners against walls, water-board and keep prisoners shackled from ceilings for hours.  It was even authorized for inmates to be deprived of sleep for days and locked in coffin-like boxes.  The release of that information was quickly condemned and tagged as politically motivated.  Conservatives claimed that those repulsed by prisoner abuse and support abuse investigations must “hate America” and are “blood-thirsty Hard Left”.  Interestingly, Congress passed legislation making it legal for US military personnel to perform some of the disgusting acts performed at Abu Graib, thereby normalizing human degradation and allowing for the death of outrage.  The MP’s who were caught and convicted of the abuse say they were simply following orders.  Excuses?  Truth?  Lies?   

Lynndie England, the female soldier who was photographed during several tortures, still refuses to apologize for her actions.  In 2005, she was dishonorably discharged and convicted of conspiracy, maltreating detainees and committing an indecent act.  Ten other military personnel (including two other women) were convicted as well.  Unable or unwilling to admit any remorseful feelings towards her actions, she does admit feelings of guilt towards the American lives lost as a direct result of her actions and those of others at Abu Graib (dailymail.co.uk.com, March 19, 2012).  Purported ring-leader, Charles Graner, was sentenced to 10 years but was released from Fort Leavenworth Kansas in 2011 after serving only 6 ½ years.  He is the last defendant to be released with the longest sentence. 

Human behaviors are affected by a combination of the power of the situation, internal forces, plus personal attitudes (Myers, 2010).  The abuses of Abu Graib inmates include torture, rape, sodomy and homicide, were all committed by US military and US governmental agency personnel in an overcrowded prison where the command structure broke down.  De-individualization doesn’t necessarily us behave badly; it makes us more likely to conform to whatever norms are present in the situation (Postmes & Spears, 1998 as cited in Lilienfeld, et al, 2009).  While we can all understand that certain situations during war-time call for certain actions that otherwise would not be acceptable in normal civilization.  However, these actions go beyond anything that can be within a shadow of humane.  President Obama should not have released the memos itemizing the legitimizing of abuses as it only served to irritate recent human rights wounds.  No, we are not all torturers and there are still plenty of us out here who are outraged by the disgusting acts of the few in society who lay down their civilized ways just because they perceive a situation calls for it.  Conservative or liberal, what happened at Abu Graib prison was wrong.

 

Lilienfeld, S., Lynn, S., Namy, L., Woolf, N. (2009). Psychology, From Inquiry to Understanding.  New York, Pearson.

Myers, D. (2010). Social Psychology (10^th Edition).New York, McGraw-Hill

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2009/04/were_all_torturers_now.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117216/Lynndie-England-STILL-refuses-apologise-Abu-Ghraib-abuses.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/06/charles-graner-released-_n_920210.html

 

April Rogers

PS101OL

Comprehensive Assignment Lesson 8

Sung to the tune of:  Just the Way You Are (by Bruno Mars)

My views – My views

Are all around so I know how they confuse

Someone – Someone

Who wants my info that they can use

            I’m no different than

            Anybody else ….

I’ve found – I’ve found

I lean a lot Left but not completely

And I bend – I bend

Enough to see both sides intently

            It’s a struggle to

            Find a balance in this world

Oh I know I know I know

We’ve got to get out and vote

If we expect to be a part

Of change and of growth

            Don’t complain if you don’t

            Get off your arse and VOTE!

April Rogers

PS101OL

Chapter 3 Comprehensive

Sung to the tune of:  Red Solo Cup

Red –v- Blue

We know it’s true

            Let’s name the Party!

            Let’s choose a Party!

The Reds are uptight

And like to fight

            Conservative Party!

            The Right Wing Party!

The Blues keep in loose

Gives right to choose

            The Liberal Party!

            The Left Wing Party!

Blue –v- Red

Or Tea Party dread

            Just name your Party!

            Jump in and Party!

So where do you stand

In our free land

            You get to Party!

            Within your Party!

PS101OL Final

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Rogers

PS101OL

Final

October 5, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.   How many Justices are on the United States Supreme Court, how are they appointed, who are they currently, and how long do they serve? Please describe their role in terms of the balance of powers.

According to www.SupremeCourt.org, there are nine Justices of the United States Supreme Court, one of whom is titled Chief Justice.  Our currently serving Justices are Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr., Sonia Sotomeyer and Elena Kagan.  Article III of the United States Constitution set forth the definition and formation of the Supreme Court.  Justices are appointed by sitting US Presidents and must be subject to critical, disciplined and rigid Congressional confirmation process, ultimately approving for or denying the appointment.  The Court and the Justices have a sworn duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.  According to the US Constitution, a US Supreme Court Justice may serve a lifetime appointment “during good behavior” although some justices have opted for retirement.  Their time serving on the bench is compensated.  The role of the Supreme Court and powers of the Supreme Court has developed over time.  The Constitutional definition of the Supreme Court is vague but this branch of government is seen as coequal to the Legislative and the Executive branches of government.  The Court’s most important function is judicial review on the constitutionality of laws.  Any law or action by the states, the federal government or the President that are constitutionally questioned may be reviewed and possibly revoked by the Court.  The decision of the Supreme Court is final.  It is interesting to note that the Supreme Court did not have a building until 1935 after existing for 146 years!  The words “EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW” is inscribed on the overhead of the main entrance to the building as a firm and resolute symbol of the American people’s determination to hold to the promise of equal justice for all.

http://www.supremecourt.gov/default.aspx

 

 

2.   What is the ‘State of the Union’ address? Why is it notable? When it is done? Who will do the next one?

According to the website, www.presidency.ucsb.edu, the State of the Union message to Congress by the currently sitting President of the United States is mandated by Article 2, Section 3 of the US Constitution whereby it is stated, “He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient;”.  Our first President, George Washington, set a precedent by delivering the first State of the Union address to Congress in 1790.  Back then it was known as the Annual Message.  Since that time, the message has been delivered annually, if not regularly, and is known as the State of the Union address.  This speech is notable for many reasons.  Originally an administrative report, the information presented by the President now provides more detailed information on the fiscal health of the nation, the economy, national security information and, in modern times, has become a rallying point for the President, Congress and the citizens of the US.  Traditionally, the State of the Union address takes place in January in accordance with the National Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 which is to be delivered to Congress no more than two weeks after Congress convenes in January.  Interestingly, the 20^th Amendment to the Constitution in 1933 changed the opening of Congress from March to January which also affected when the delivery of the State of the Union speech must be delivered.  The speech takes place in the House chamber and there must be a House concurrent resolution passed setting aside the specific date and time calling a joint session of Congress for the event.  The next person to deliver the State of the Union address will be the next elected President of the United States of America – either President Obama or Governor Mitt Romney.   

 

www.presidency.ucsb.edu/sou.php

http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/stateunion.aspx

3.   What is campaign finance? Why is it such a big issue in Washington, D.C. and among Americans?

Campaign financing is money used to get an individual elected into public office.  The rub is that some campaign financing comes directly from taxpayer wallets, whether we like it or not.  The Federal Election Commission of the United States enforces the provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act, Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act and Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act.  According to the Federal Election Commission website, public funding of Presidential elections means that qualified Presidential candidates receive federal government funds to pay for the valid expenses of their political campaigns in both the primary and general elections.  National parties, Democrats and Republicans, can also receive federal money for their national nominating conventions.  Regulations of campaign funds was created after the Watergate scandal of the 1970’s where President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign was discovered to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from some of our country’s largest corporations.  The goal for Congressional finance reform was to limit candidate dependence on donations from wealthy special interest groups.  In short, to stop campaign finance corruption and increase competition for candidates who may not have large contributors or large personal wealth.  The public funds collected are strictly voluntary and is collected from income tax returns.  However the system is not perfect as “soft” money always finds its way into politics and there are loopholes that can be easily gotten around.  The system is outdated as most campaigns cannot be run on a small budget.  It is pathetic that our political machine is based upon the almighty dollar – he who has the largest war chest wins.

 

http://www.fec.gov/law/feca/feca.shtml

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/pubfund.shtml

http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1389223

 

4.   Who are your Senators? What have they done in office that you are aware of or that you can find? What would you like them to do that they are not doing currently?

The two Senators from South Carolina are Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Jim DeMint.  Senator DeMint’s website notes his voting record from January 26, 2011 to the present.  He has voted in favor of such topics as honoring the victims and heroes of the January 8, 2011 Tucson Arizona shooting, most areas of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, extension of most provisions of the US Patriot Act, confirmed several District and Circuit Court Judges and a temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act.  He is currently set to kick of a “Save Small Businesses” tour in the Anderson SC area Monday, October 8, 2012.  A matter close to my heart, he will visit Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home here in Anderson to discuss veteran healthcare issues.   Senator Graham currently serves of five committees including Appropriations, Armed Services, Aging, Budget and Judiciary in addition to his duties as a SC Senator.  On a personal note, I am pleased to share that Senator Graham took a few moments to recognize Calhoun Academy of the Arts for receiving a Healthy Lifestyles Grant two years ago that a member of our PTSA wrote and submitted.  He wrote a letter of congratulations to the school and PTSA for our outstanding support for our children.  I cannot say at this time that there are issues my Senators are not addressing.  They have managed to stay away from scandals according to their websites, vote consistently and along party lines.  Of course, the optimist in me would like to see less partisanship and much more cooperation between parties, but overall I am satisfied with the job these two gentlemen are doing and appreciate their service to the state of South Carolina.    

 

http://www.demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=VotingRecord

http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Legislation.CommitteeAssignments

Supreme Court Jingle

April Rogers

PS101OL

September 30, 2012

Lesson 7 Comprehensive

Sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle

 

Nine of us sit on the bench

Supreme Court of the nation

Make decisions

Left and Right

Defend the Constitution

 

Hearing cases all day long –

Breaking down the details –

Is it legal, is it wrong

Our judgments swift and strong!

 

On our docket are the laws

That we have to consider

Adhere the closest to our rights

Follow us on Twitter!

April Rogers

September 30, 2012

PS101OL Graded Assignment

According to poll findings of “The Pew Research Center for The People & The Press: Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes:  1987-2007”, there is a slow but steady decline of support for traditional conservative social values in areas such as homosexuality.  Republicans remain significantly more conservative than Democrats but are becoming less conservative.  The main reason for the poll results stems from generational change as those coming into adulthood have less conservative view than their predecessors or the large segment of society known as The Boomers.  This Pew survey indicates an increasing acceptance of homosexuality and the percentage of those endorsing “old fashioned values of family and marriage” have declined.  The majority of Americans continue to oppose gay marriage. 

In my opinion, the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and the courts should act in judicial restraint on the subject.  Specific to the case of Lawrence –v- Texas, creating a crime of two consenting adults engaging in intimate sexual acts violates due process and is unwarranted governmental intrusion.  The 1996 Defense of Marriage act was signed by then President Bill Clinton which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.  In recent years, the question of discrimination and constitutionality has come into play as it is considered that the federal law intrudes on states’ regulation of domestic relations (abcnews.com, 2012). 

            If I was a Supreme Court justice and this case was brought before me, I’d rule that the federal government has no constitutional right to dictate the legal recognition of marriage.  Under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, each state is required to provide equal protection under the law to all people within its’ jurisdiction, upheld by the Supreme Court in Brown –v- Board of Education (1954).  The Supreme Court held in that case   that laws arbitrarily requiring sex discrimination violated the Equal Protection Clause. 

            We all know that there is a separation of church and state.  We all realize that marriage is a covenant or agreement entered into before God, usually within a place of worship officiated by a man or woman of the ministry.  Any person who is or has been married is also aware that individuals wishing to be married must obtain a marriage license within the state that one wishes to be married in.  That should be the extent of governmental interference in personal relationships.  It is unconstitutional to disallow individuals to enter into a marriage willingly based upon sexual orientation because marriage has its roots in religion.  It should be up to members of the clergy as to the basis of their faith whether or not to officiate a wedding of two people of the same sex and not determined by the federal government.

            According to the website, freedomtomarry.org, six states now have the right to perform same-sex marriages including Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and the District of Columbia/Washington DC.  Maryland, New Jersey and Washington State have passed freedom to marry bills which have not taken effect.  Maryland, New Mexico and Rhode Island respect out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples.  Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island allow civil unions.  California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State offer broad terms of domestic partnership.  Because of the great strides states have made to protect their citizens under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, it is doubtful that legislation will backtrack and it is entirely plausible that the Supreme Court will uphold states’ rights of citizen protection.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/gay-marriage-arguments-set-ny-appeals-court-17335209

April Rogers

PS101OL

Lesson 6 Comprehensive

Sung to the tune of “Walking on Sunshine”

I used to think maybe you’d hear me

Now I know that it’s true-uuu

Because I just sent you an email

 And I voted for you-uuu

Now every time I see you on TV

Gotta stop what I’m doin’

Because I just can’t get what you’re up to

But I gotta trust you-uuu

Now I’m thumping on Congress!

YEAH!

Now I’m thumping on Congress!

YEAH!

AND DON’T IT FEEL GOOD!  YEAH!  ALL RIGHT NOW!

I used to think I could ignore you

Now I know that ain’t true-uuuu

Because I gotta duty to hold you

Accountable – clear view!

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Shoulder the load of my country

You’re busy I know-www

Responsible to me and others

I gotta know what you do-ooo

In summary, I know that every citizen in the US has a right to know what their legislators are doing.  I also understand that it’s sometimes all we can do as individuals to make it through a day, a week or a month just keeping up with our personal lives.  I’m glad for this section of this class as I’ve sent the Frontline video to others and I’m saving the contact sites for my Congressional representatives plus the Thomas website (extremely interesting!).  Looks like what we don’t know is somewhat more important than what we DO know!