Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Executive branch((2)

source: "White house records in Facebook era". DARRELL,REP. 10/7/10. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43214.html

(2)The Executive branch. the white house.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/executive-branch

Constitutional connection: "The power of the Executive Branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch, ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise." (2)

Explanation of connection:
       Technology cannot be considered as good but also as something bad. You can be texting someone for homework or texting someone to go beat up a kid at school. Well technology didn't make the white house records stay so "secretly."
       This article demonstrates an example of hoe executive branch in the United Sates would work. For example, in the article it says how the executive branch didn't (or still isn't) doing a good job in doing what they are suppose to do. And once again this article talks about how the Washington records ended up on facebook because of technology. If the executive branch would have been doing  what they are suppose to do (which is to enforce laws) then none of this would've happen. (This is what I'm getting from the article).
     I think that it is good that we have an executive branch that would make our laws even better. I also like this form of government because this way, the legislative branch (the branch that MAKES the laws) doesn't get all power. They have someone to look/be aware that they are being watched and criticized.


Legislative branch (2)

Source: "Robert Gates changes 'don't ask' procedures." 10/21/10. Josh Gerstein. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43994.html.
(2) "Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution." 12 October 2010.

Constitutional connection:
            "create federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court..,make rules for the regulation of land and naval forces, provide for, arm, and discipline the militia." (2)

Explanation of connection:
         The "don't ask" policy is about not allowing gays,lesbians to not enter the military. People have been arguing about why why but why the discrimination against gay people.

         This article demonstrates the legislative branch of the United States Constitution. Because the legislative branch has the power to make laws that would come in advantage to us the people. In this article, the law about "don;t ask" is made to supposedly protect the people ion the military or make them feel more comfortable. This article had both views (the ones against it and the ones who agree with this law.

         I think that the law that the legislative branch came up with is unconstitutional because well one, it is discriminating a certain kind of people, something that should not be aloud to be made into law. Another thing I would like to say about this policy is that i disagree with it, because anyone can be what ever they want to be and people should respect that, not make policies that would banned those kind of people.   .


Sunday, October 10, 2010

Executive Branch

(1)Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FAfiO13K6w

(2):The Executive branch. the white house.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/executive-branch

Constitutional connection:
"The power of the Executive Branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch, ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise." (2)

Explanation of connection:
      When ever the legislative branch comes up with a law and everyone in the house agrees (or votes agreeing wit it) it is the Executive branch to enforce those laws and make sure they are constitutional. It is also their job to make any changes to the law that they think would make it better. This type of system is called Democracy, in which United states uses to mantain the government in check.

         This video consist what is the "Executive Branch" and what do they do in the Executive Branch.The Executive Branch is very vigorous branch of government that enforces laws. They also analyze the powers of the president.They control all of FBI(Federal Bureau of Investigation ,DEA(Drug enforcement agency), and Department of Treasury. This video defines the executive branch and how it works in the United States, thus, it demonstrates and explains about the executive branch.

        I like that the Unites States gives the power to the people instead of just having one person with all their power in their hands. The executive branch enforces laws and makes them constitutional. This reminds me when Arizona made a law saying that all immigrants have to have their papers in hand because being illegal there isn't acceptable.The executive branch had to reinforce it and make it constitutional because what they were doing was unconstitutional.

6th amendment

(1)Source:
         "DUI Breath Machines Blow."ScottPearceEsq. May 15, 200. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZqmkBw2LU. 

(2).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Constitutional conection:
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense." (2)

Explanation of connection:
     Now they have invented a DUI breath machines for the police to know if someone is driving under the influence of alcohol. You blow on it and it determines (an educated guess) on how much alcohol you have drank. When it is more than .8% you are sent to court and then it is decided how much do you have to pay.

     This video demonstrates an example of the 6th amendment. How? Well when you are accused of driving under the influence of alcohol you are sent to court. In court they are telling you why you are there and because citizens have behind the 6th amendment on their backs, they have the right to bring witness to defend their point of view.

        In my opinion, I think that the 6th amendment is in the constitution for a good reason. Because when I'm sent to court I want to know WHY I'm there and in order to help me win m case I want to bring witness or another kind of proof that would be in my advantage to use. But if the Unites States didn't have this amendment I wouldn't have that right and I would be..well...I guess in court with no clue on what's going on.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Tenth Amendment

(1)

(1)Source: "Tenth amendment." W.Jake.2008/10/04.ToonDoo. http://www.toondoo.com/cartoon/382425
(2)Source: "Tenth Amendment to the United Sates Constitution." 12 October 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

  Constitutional Connection:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."(2)

Explanation of Connection: 
When The National Government tries to or believes they have all the power, the tenth amendment is there to put them in their place.The tenth amendment was done to avoid having somewhat like a monarchy (which is all power to one person). Even though some people agree with putting all power in someones hands, the United States doesn't allow this, because (many agree) that having limited power doesn't like spoil you or make you take advantage.

    This cartoon clearly demonstrates the tenth amendment. Why? Or how? Well as you can see in the cartoon, a guy (that looks kind of like ex-President George W. Bush) is making fun of a state person. Saying that he has all the power. False! Because in the United States Constitution, as the boy explains in the cartoon, states that he doesn't have ALL the power in his hands. It says that the powers that he doesn't have are given to the people or the states.


   I think that the tenth amendment is a good amendment. Because I don't agree with giving all the power to someone, in other words, having a monarchy. People can disagree with me or what ever but having too much power may make them turn bad or be worse. By sharing power won't make them turn bad and/or won't leave them without power also. The tenth amendment is a keeper!

legislative branch (#1)

Source:
    (1)  "GOP prods Justice on military vote." 10/12/10. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43459.html
    (2) "Federal government of the United States." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_the_United_States#Powers_of_Congress


Constitutional connection: Article I, Section 8, the legislative branch. In the United States Constitution it says that it's responsible to "make rules for the regulation of land and naval forces, provide for, arm, and discipline the militia."

Explanation of connection:
        
“The MOVE Act was passed last year to ensure that these brave men and women would have a voice in this fall’s elections. It’s unacceptable that any state would fail to meet that obligation. The Obama administration must act swiftly to guarantee that every service member receives his or her ballot in time to vote.” (1) What this paragraph is saying is that the move act allows the soldiers to vote.

    This article clearly demonstrates Article I, section 8, of the United States Constitution. Congress has the right to make laws/rules. This article demonstrates how the legislative branch made the power to come up with an act that allows soldiers to vote because they are citizens.

   I am in favor for the move act because the soldiers,who brave enough fight for our country,have the right to also vote like any other citizen in the US. Yes they are out of the United States but they are out because of one purpose-to fight for our state. Don't they have the right to atleast vote for their country? I know I would if I were a soldier in the U.S military.


Saturday, September 18, 2010

Fifth amendment


(1)Source:"If it weren't for the Second, we wouldn't need to plea the Fifth." Love, Jason. http://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoonview.asp?start=&search=main&catref=jlvn304&MA_Artist=&MA_Category=&ANDkeyword=fifth+amendment&ORkeyword=&TITLEkeyword=&NEGATIVEkeyword=

(2)Source: "Fifth amendment right against self-incrimination." FindLaw. http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/criminal_rights/self_incrimination/

(3)Source
Constitutional connection:
The fifth amendment is the right against self-incrimination. What does that mean? When in a criminal case, the defendant can't be forced to be a witness against him/her. The fifth amendment can be also called forth by saying "I plead the fifth."(2)

Explanation of connection:
When the defendant chooses to "plead the fifth" on a court (for what ever reason), he can't be forced to answer any questions he doesn't choose to. The judge doesn't have the right to make him guilty just because he didn't want to testify. BUT, this doesn't mean that by just using the fifth amendment that the defendant can take advantage of this amendment and get away with what ever he did that was wrong. There are some things that the defendant can't refuse to do, so the fifth amendment can't be taken advantage of.(2)

   This cartoon demonstrates the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution. Citizens have the power/right to leave unanswered any questions that the defendant chooses to. This cartoon demonstrates how this man used to "plead the fifth" to not answer what ever the lawyer was asking him. Nobody can force him to explain or answer questions that he chooses not to, since, the fifth amendment is in the constitution and gives him the right to remain in silence.

  In my opinion, I am grateful that the constitution has this fifth amendment because I strongly agree that if you don't want to answer a question, that you shouldn't be forced to answer it. This cartoon is interesting because, this gives the people/citizens power and shows the police, lawyer (etc) that they don't have ALL the power. In other words, we the people of the United States have the power too..even if it is just to remain silence.