Post Trial Reflection

1. Summarize the facts of the case, as presented by the prosecution. Include relevant witnesses and testimony.

The Prosecuters presented three witnesses. John Adams, James Madison and Raul Grijalva. Two of the founding fathers explained the Constitution and the terms within it. Raul Grijalva gave evidence of the effect the law has created in recent events. James Madison quoted the amendments and spoke of justice and equal protection under the law. John Adams explained the Alien and Sedition Acts, stating that the act had been a regretful and shameful act because it didn't allow fair treatment. He also referred to the Boston Massacre, remembering that he represented the British soldiers because everyone should have a fair trial. Raul Grijalva gave an explanation of California's proposition 187, a law that passed in 1994 and prohibited illegal immigrants from obtaining healthcare, education and any public services. This law was removed after the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional. Raul compared proposition 187 to Senate Bill 1070.

2. Summarize the facts of the case, as presented by the defense. Include relevant witnesses and testimony.

The Defendants presented three witnesses. Jan Brewer, Arizona's governor who signed the bill into law, Russell Pearce, Arizona's senator and author of the bill. They also presented Officer Kenneth Collins who was killed by an illegal immigrant. Jan Brewers evidence was the violin increase around the border of Arizona and Mexico. Pearce arguments were the same as Brewer's but he also included his right to help his state because as a senator he has noticed that the congress and the senate have not pushed for a strong, firm immigration law. Kenneth Collins presented his experience, his argument wasn't as effective as Brewer's or Pearce's but he gave a citizen perspective.

3. What was the most significant piece of evidence, in your personal opinion?

I believe the strongest piece of evidence was the percentage of crimes committed by illegal immigrants. I know, it might be biased, but I know that those "illegal immigrants" are highly affiliated with gangs and mobs. I don't think it's fair to say that every illegal immigrant is a criminal. Yes. They do break a law, but sometimes it's the only way to survive. Most immigrants cross the desert or border because they want to survive. Almost everyone has heard the phrase "they want to give their children a better life," even though it is a cliché, its true. No one in his or her right mind would cross a desert for fun. They cross the desert to provide opportunities for their families.

4. What was the most significant argument made, in your opinion?

About 70% of the citizens in Arizona approve the law. Nationwide almost a 60% support it. It is extremely hard to fight the law when there are many supporters. Statements that say the law doesn't allow for racial profiling to occur and statements from supporters that say the law is completely harmless are great arguments. Yet this is because many don't realize that is it very harmless. There is a lot of racism in the country today. Joe Arpaio has so much hatred against anyone that doesn't look like him, he is known as "little Hitler" for true reasons. Russell Pearce is affiliated with Neo-Nazi groups that have risen even more with SB1070. They have more reason now to unleash their hatred. Laws like SB1070, proposition 187 and such make me fear this country even more.

5. What do you personally believe the correct verdict should be? Do you agree with the jury? Why or why not?

Personally, being an immigrant myself, I find the law to be incredibly pointless and ineffective. The law clearly is violating human right and the constitution. Some sections have been re-written to lead otherwise, but it is still wrong. I agree with Raul Grijalva, the United States need an immigration reform because many students like myself, have been law bidden residents that deserve the right to receive an education. Many students, like myself, are seeing their future disappear due to their legal status in this country. I might not be able to finish high school due to the situation occurring in this country and due to laws like Senate Bill 1070 that carry prejudice and a misguided reasons. I disagree with my lawyers, the prosecutors because they believe that the bill is wrong and they need to form a new immigration law that is less harsh. We don't need more laws that create barriers for immigrants to become citizens. Instead of increasing the amount of ICE agents and Border Patrol agents, we should have federal agents securing the borders from gang members and narcs. This country is powerful for many reasons, and it can be better, but racism, stereotypes and misleading arguments must stop. I fear this country and the people running it. "It is a shame that the people who know how to run this country are too busy teaching."

WW2 letters

A woman at work in America.

Write a letter to a friend or family member. Think of what might be in a letter like this: it would be on a specific date & from a specific city. this letter might describe your hopes, feelings, expectations, fears, etc. It might reference current events (or, then-current events), technology, or politicians. It might describe people, places, settings, technology and more. It might include the other person's life, perspective or questions. In fact, the person the letter is written to might be one of the people on that list!

Helpful links:
http://www.teacheroz.com/WWII_Oral_History.htm
http://www.war-letters.com/


1. Who you are & how you decided:

A young 19 year old American girl. I got married a few months ago because my lover was going to war.

I was planning on joining the WACS but I was too young. They had changed the date to 21 years old. So, instead I joined the Civilian Defense.

I learned to identify airplanes and learn the plan of attacks in case another attack similar to Pearl Harbor were to happen.

Semester DOS, Blog #15

* Modern ideas of war & war crimes

My humanities teacher posed a great question. What do you do after a war?

After World War Two, the Allied Forces held tribunals in Nuremberg, Germany.
In this trial there were 22 most powerful captured Nazi leaders. Among them were, Karl Doenitz, Frank Hans, Frick Wilhelm.
During the trials they were asked about their actions with the Nazi Party. For example, Hermann Goering, a political, military and Nazi Party leader, perhaps the only one that could give a clear understanding of the ideas of the Nazi Party, MR. JUSTICE JACKSON: And upon coming to power you also considered it immediately necessary to establish concentration camps to take care of your incorrigible opponents?

GOERING: I have already stated that the reason for the concentration camps was not because it could be said, "Here are a number of people who are opposed to us and they must be taken into protective custody." Rather they were set up as a lightning measure against the functionaries of the Communist Party who were attacking us in the thousands, and who, since they were taken into protective custody, were not put in prison. But it was necessary, as I said, to erect a camp for themone, two, or three camps. (Cross Examination of Hermann Goering (1))

This was a question asked to Hermann Goering. what i found interesting is that in a 4 day tribunal there were only a few questions asked concerning the deaths of millions of Jews.

He, along with ten other Nazi leaders were condemned, yet Goering committed suicide two hours before his execution. 

   

Semester DOS, Honors History #2

The Great War was incredibly significant in terms of men and materials lost, in the downfall of empires, and most importantly in the setting up of World War II. With over 10 million dead after the war, England and France, in particular, lost an entire generation of men who would fill leadership positions. If it weren't for their mistakes we would have never progressed. It’s all about being the cruelest in the battlefield. That is why WWI is important in the terms of the Art of War.

We all they know that the most powerful countries will define the new policies or the new guidelines for a World Order. United States has a way of controlling people as does North Korea. It’s a very powerful weapon called fear. During the recession between WWI and WWII, the United States imposed a Dollar Diplomacy, which basically threatens other to make business. It is not that United States needs much of this power. It just wants a clear and strong control on other countries, to prevent them from gaining interest in power and a leading position of nations.

The Iraq war, which also includes the Afghanistan war, is an example of a two faced war. On one side, America is fighting for their safety, to prevent further attacks to their homeland. The other side, they also want to take some of their oil, while no one is watching it. I know there is an argument on this issue yet we can never deny that we are taking advantage of our overstayed welcome. Have we always taken advantage of other countries? Or, is it a product of war?
Alliances are the most important thing to have in war. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Armory is vital yet if you don’t have compatible weapons but your best friend does, then you are set. You will perhaps start a remake of World War One. Having the right allies will eventually bring you a lot of help because other counties will not dare attack you. But your great ally will also take your resources or exploit you to receive a fair pay for protecting you.
What is technology? It helps you create new ideas, products and weapons for newer generations. Technology is the main component of progression, or progression brings technology. Nothing will exist if it weren’t for technology, but things can’t exist if we have it. Technology has a great role when it comes to disappearing things, places or people. The firebombing of Dresden is considered as an event for weapon testing. Firebombs had never been used before and this was a test to see how effective the weapon was. The firebombs were very efficient. Events like these will help further generations or levels of war.

Semester DOS, Blog #14

Welcome back from One World Week, Spring Break, and Ampersand craziness. Now it's time for some good old history.

Answer each of the following, and cite statistics or sources wherever appropriate:

1. What are the most interesting aspects of World Wars 1 and 2?

World War One

World War One is one of the deadliest war in history, yet it only lasted four years.

This war included many new war techniques such as the tanks, but they were mainly useless.

The tanks were not well maneuvered in the battlefield. 

Works Cited
1918, and it lay in ruins. "First World War Casualties." History Learning Sitehttp://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/FWWcasualties.htm>

World War Two

The United States of America started the Manhattan Project. On October 11, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed to start a program that would develop an atomic bomb. This program became known as the Manhattan Project.

Works Cited

">"World War 2." ">World War 2">. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010.

2. What do you hope to learn about these wars?

World War One

World War Two

I would like to learn about Kaiser Wilhelm II, and his contributions to the war. How did Hitler accomplish many of his goals? How did he win people over?

3. How/Why are these wars important today? How do they impact and/or inform our world today? hint: think about alliances, democracies around the world, cultures, international institutions, nuclear (and other) technologies, etc.

World War One started of by a simple reason, some may argue very immature and stupid event. The assassination of  Franz Ferdinand. Yet at that time people thought that was an important event, and indeed it is. Today we are fighting two wars. I believe it is useless and for reasons that are non important. many think it is important. 

Honors Novel Blog #2

1. How does Jim Casey's moral philosophy guide the novel as a whole?

In the novel the Grapes of Wrath, Jim Casy develops the novel with his philosophy of human unity and the human spirit. Casy was a preacher, who preached for the people. He never felt in touch with a god and never connected with the religion philosophy of the holy spirit. Yet he loved people, all he wanted was to make people happy. He found a way to make people happy by preaching about a God and a holy spirit. Then he realized that he couldn’t preach because he had nothing to preach for.

Casy’s philosophy on the human spirit is that humankind makes up a holy spirit. We are not born with it, and we do not go into the wilderness to find it. “I figgered about the Holy Sperit and the Jesus road. I figgered, ‘ Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? Maybe,’ I figgered, ‘ mayby it’s all men an’ all women we love; maybe that’s the Holy Sperit- the human sperit- the whole shebang. Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.” Casy believes everyone has a human spirit that grows and forms through our actions. Our experiences and love form the Holy Spirit in all human beings.

 

Steinbeck uses Jim Casy to express his beliefs. One of those beliefs is unity. Unity is the strongest message in the Grapes of Wrath because it develops throughout the book. At the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck starts with a description of the dust bowl. Then he moves towards the banks taking people of the land. Migrant farmers from all over the places of the country move west in hope of finding jobs, a place to live and something to eat. They all have similar stories and throughout the novel we see the unity of these farmers. They camp together, cook together past time by telling stories. All they have is one another. The Joads help the Wilsons, so hopefully together they make it to California.

Semester TWO, Blog #13 (GOW Final Essay)

1. How does Jim Casey's moral philosophy guide the novel as a whole?

In the novel the Grapes of Wrath, Jim Casy develops the novel with his philosophy of human unity and the human spirit. Casy was a preacher, who preached for the people. He never felt in touch with a god and never connected with the religion philosophy of the holy spirit. Yet he loved people, all he wanted was to make people happy. He found a way to make people happy by preaching about a God and a holy spirit. Then he realized that he couldn’t preach because he had nothing to preach for.

 

Casy’s philosophy on the human spirit is that humankind makes up a holy spirit. We are not born with it, and we do not go into the wilderness to find it. “I figgered about the Holy Sperit and the Jesus road. I figgered, ‘ Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? Maybe,’ I figgered, ‘ mayby it’s all men an’ all women we love; maybe that’s the Holy Sperit- the human sperit- the whole shebang. Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.” Casy believes everyone has a human spirit that grows and forms through our actions. Our experiences and love form the Holy Spirit in all human beings.

 

Steinbeck uses Jim Casy to express his beliefs. One of those beliefs is unity. Unity is the strongest message in the Grapes of Wrath because it develops throughout the book. At the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck starts with a description of the dust bowl. Then he moves towards the banks taking people of the land. Migrant farmers from all over the places of the country move west in hope of finding jobs, a place to live and something to eat. They all have similar stories and throughout the novel we see the unity of these farmers. They camp together, cook together past time by telling stories. All they have is one another. The Joads help the Wilsons, so hopefully together they make it to California.