Video Games (violent ones) considered at the Supreme Court

High court case on violent games tests limits on speech: "On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices will hear arguments in the case involving the ban on the sale of violent video games to minors"

Haiti's woes, and some hope

Haiti still has a long way to go, and an outbreak of cholera has brought new tragedy to a nation that has seen too much of it.

There's Gotta Be a Better Way

When you think of all the problems of our nation, it is a shame to see so much money spent on trying to win elections.

Local News | Murray-Rossi race draws $12M in independent spending | Seattle Times Newspaper

I-1098 a State Income-tax for the Wealthy

I believe this to be a very important issue, and am supporting it's passage. Read about it in the Seattle Times Income-tax measure took years to shape or in the Online Voters Guide.

OMG - The Political Ads!

I couldn't agree more with the disappointment and disgust over the political ads that appear on television and in my mailbox. It is really hard to feel hopeful about our democratic society when political campaign operatives spend so much money on these attack ads based on half-truths and statements taken out of context.

The worst thing about it is that the reason these ads are so prevalent - the are believed to be very effective. So, my life's work is dedicated to strengthening our democracy through education - it is really disheartening to see the money and media that work against the pursuit of a healthy democracy.

Check out the following editorial from the staff at the Seattle Times:

Editorials | Shady, negative television ads muck up campaign season | Seattle Times Newspaper

What do you think? Are there any particular ads that are bothering you? Reply and let us know where to find them!

Unit 5 - Freedom of Religion

Youths, adults sign on to wear purple, support gay teens

I heard on the MRHS announcements this morning that tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 20) some in our school will be wearing purple.

A worthy way to exercise your First Amendment rights. Now if I can find something purple...

From USA Today:
Youths, adults sign on to wear purple, support gay teens:
"When Tammy Aaberg wears her purple T-shirt that says "End the Hate" on Wednesday, she'll be thinking of her son Justin. He killed himself after he was bullied at school for being gay."

If you are interested in becoming more involved in this issue, a good place to start might be with the The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Or our school's very own Gay/Straight Alliance.

10 years after Bush v. Gore, new concerns about voting

Bush v. Gore refers not only to the election of 2000, but the Supreme Court case, that ordered an end to the recount process in Florida and gave the victory to George Bush.

In that election, Al Gore won about a half million more votes than Bush, and if not for our electoral college system, would have been the President. Florida's electoral votes (unfairly many would say) were awarded to Bush after a month of counting and recounting, and a lawsuit over the process had reached the Supreme Court.

There were lots of reports of voting irregularities including confusing ballots, and out-dated voting machines that didn't properly record some people's votes on computer punch cards. The bottom line was that a lot of Americans never believed George Bush deserved to become President of the United States, and the Supreme Court, in a divided decision, was seen as making a unwarranted decision to stop the election for political reasons.

Since that time, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed by Congress to deal with some of the issues that led to the problems. This article helps update us on where we are today with voting processes across the many states and counties that all do it a little differently.

10 years after Bush v. Gore, new concerns about voting - USATODAY.com:

BTW - The change some wanted us to see, a reform of the electoral college system, has yet to happen.

Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on cars

Without any thoughtful constitutional analysis, my first impression is this is just wrong. What do you think? Is this a violation of 4th Amendment rights?

Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on cars - CNN.com:

Courage by Activists for Gay Rights in Belgrade, Serbia

These marchers were not afraid to put themselves in harm's way to fight for equality and a more democratic society.

Judge Orders End to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

It seems as though nobody knows for sure what is going to happen next, but for now a judge has ruled that the military policy barring openly gay men and women from serving in the military has to end immediately. But will it? There are a lot of political hurdles...

The story from USA Today.

Another News Clip of Liu Xiaobo

News Clip of Nobel Peace Prize

Some Encouraging Words from Mormon Church

After agreeing to accept a petition from the Human Rights Campaign, LDS leaders issued a statement condemning "acts of cruelty, or attempts to belittle or mock any group that is different...such actions have no place in our society." The statement specifically included people who are targeted because of sexual orientation.

Could the Church statement have gone farther? Of course, but religious institutions tend not to turn on a dime, and I think this is a welcome advance in the cause of seeing all of humanity treated with respect, dignity, and equality.

Mormon church says cruelty toward gays is wrong - USATODAY.com:

The Elusive Youth Vote

The Elusive Youth Vote: - In the last two midterm elections, only one in four people under age 30 voted, about half the rate for recent presidential elections

Is there any reason to expect that the turnout will be different this time? Usually without the excitement of a presidential race, less young people exercise their right to vote. With two wars, an economy that is slumping, and the cost of higher education zooming into the stratosphere, you would think there would be enough incentive for young people to get out there this year.

Any predictions?

Murray vs. Rossi

Who will be representing us in the Senate for the next six years (alongside Maria Cantwell)? Does liberal Democrat Patty Murray deserve a fourth term as U.S. Senator or should former State Senator (and candidate for governor) Dino Rossi, a fairly conservative Republican, deserve a shot at the job?

The T.V. ads have had so many distortions in them, I'd suggest digging around yourself. Here are a few feature articles on the candidates done by the Seattle Times - They are a pretty good place to start.

Local News | Sen. Patty Murray: suburban mom to D.C. power broker | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Rossi counts on voter anger in Senate bid | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Candidates on taxes, Wall Street, Afghanistan | Seattle Times Newspaper

How much protection does offensive speech deserve?

How does the First Amendment deal with this?

The story of the religious fringe group behind the case argued at the Supreme Court this week.

In Topeka, the Price of Free Speech

9 Accused of Torturing 3 in Bronx for Being Gay

This news story was just sickening. On the heels of several suicides involving young gay people, this is just too much. From the N.Y. Times:

9 Accused of Torturing 3 in Bronx for Being Gay - NYTimes.com

Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo

A very good choice this year - good job Nobel committee - and let us all stand in solidarity with Liu Xiaobo.


Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Chinese Dissident Liu Xiaobo - NYTimes.com

From CBS News:

The First Monday in October

The Supreme Court begins it's term with newcomer Elena Kagan today. A few video reports from NBC news:

First a look at some of the cases the Court will be hearing:


Then, a look at the first day:

Tyler Clementi's Suicide Prompts Debate Over Online Privacy

A debate of the issues raised by Tyler Clementi's suicide:



You can view the debate on the site of PBS NewsHour.

Shock at student's suicide over sex video

Shock, anger, outrage, and sadness. Just some of the emotions many are feeling after the suicide of 18-year old Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University. A closeted gay man, his room mate secretly video recorded him having sex with another man and broadcast it on the internet. It was this action that prompted young Tyler Clementi to jump to his death off of the George Washington bridge.
A summary of the story from PBS:




Shock at student's suicide over sex video: Coverage of the reaction by the BBC

For bullied gay teens, the world is still far from accepting Some commentary by Petula Dvorak.