Judicial Notes

Article 3: Judicial Branch
based on Latin system
Levels
County: Magistrates court, Family
State: District, West Virginia Supreme Court
State courts: Family law issues, landlord tenant issues, professional malpractice, personal injury, worker's injury, traffic violations, crimes under state laws.

National: Federal Courts
United States Supreme Court- 9 justices appointed by president, serve for life
Headed by Chief Justice- current John Roberts (Republican)
decided if law is unconstitutional- judicial review
Federal Courts: federal laws, inter. trade, dispute between states, traffic violations on federal property, maritime (military) cases, patents for inventions: copyright, public corportations: forms of investments

Both State and Federal:
crimes punishable by federal and state laws
some civil rights cases
class action cases
cases involving environmental laws

Difference between civil and criminal cases
civil cases: money
criminal: jail

Bellringer 11/10

1. His role will change because, he'll be a Democrat in the Republican controlled Senate. He has to be willing to compromise and make deals here in the Senate.
2. Expanding background checks for gun purchasers.

11/6 Assignment

     Welfare should be high regulated. I believe it is a great thing for this country to be able to help people in need, however it is being abused. Welfare should just be an aid not something you can live off of. I would vote that we keep Welfare, but that it is more regulated. You shouldn't just be able to sign up, and automatically get a check in the mail. Alcoholism shouldn't be a disability that you can receive welfare for because, that is a choice. The money for Welfare should be monitored on what it is being spent on,
     
      Education is a huge issue in West Virginia. We are at a lost for teachers. I would vote to raise the salary of teachers in order to get more interested in the field. Also, education spending is terrible. Computers are nice, but you don't absolutely need the best for kids to be able to learn, however you do need a good teacher. The teachers we have now are working their butts off with paper work and everything, yet seem to get no rewards. I'm sure there are plenty of areas of education that spending could be cut to raise teacher salary.
 
      Being West Virginia, natural resources is always an issue. We have coal, but right now Washington is shutting it down. Coal is working and giving many West Virginians jobs. I would vote to keep natural resources as a source of energy. Why fix something when it isn't broken? Our country and state needs to do what is best for us now. Unemployment is an issue, but taking away coal is simply making it worse. If you take away natural resources then, we need to have an outlet to open up jobs, possibly a factory.

         For many people quality of roads may not seem important. However, children are on them, the future of this state is on roads. The roads in West Virginia are currently very dangerous. Pot holes are everywhere, and we simply fill in the holes, but as winter rolls around they continue to get bad. We need to black top many of the roads again and keep them nice. Don't wait until the hole is huge for us to fix it. In the end this would save us money because, insurance companies wouldn't have as many wrecks, and the state road wouldn't have terrible messes to clean up at the end of winter. If we fix them immediately then, we would only spend a little bit of money at a time.

        We have never done enough for our veterans. They risk their lives for us, and we simply act like they're supposed to. I would vote to give them better rehabilitation programs that are state funded. Also, veterans need jobs when they return. I'm not saying throw non-veterans out of their jobs to make room, but if there were some form of government job we could offer them until they get back on their feet and get adjusted.

       

Bellringer 11/6

1. I think it is a great thing. It is time for a change, and it is great that WV accomplished this.
2. I think it will help and hinder. People see her as a great thing because she is so young. However, she may not be heard because, she is so young so people will just ignore her. People always say, "you're too young."

Icivics notes

1. The first question was on pets. The questions was "what will you do to help abused, neglected, and homeless animals?" I chose the candidate who said that they would start a program to train the dogs to help with blind. I chose her because, this gives a situation where more people can benefits instead of money going else where. New shelters aren't needed, it is finding them homes that is the problems.
2. Question: What will you do to lessen air pollution in our community. I chose the candidate who answered with creating stricter limits for factories. I chose this because the other candidate said they would give a tax break to those who ride public transportation or car pool. How would you monitor this, and not everyone has the resources to do so?
3. How do you plan to reduce crime in our neighborhood? I chose harsher sentencing. The other option was putting up more street lights and more cops on patrol. Money is a huge issue, and we need to find a cost effective way to help the crime rates. Also, street lights won't help that many crimes.
4. How do you plan to help people find and keep their jobs? I chose training classes at our community centers because, it seemed most effective. The other option was holding job fairs, well many businesses aren't going to waste their time with a job fair, this isn't college. If people really wanted the job, they would look on their own.
5. What is the best way to prevent littering? I chose the candidate that said have public education on the importance of decreasing litter. The other option was increase fines of litter. Although I agree with it, it is hard to catch the ones that litter. So, if they knew that it actually caused damage rather than just making the community look dirty then, less people would litter.
Overall I chose the candidate that I agreed with on stronger issues. Neither candidate was perfect, but that wasn't the point. The point was too pick the best of the two. It said I didn't match the candidate, but on the bigger issues I did like getting jobs and reducing crime.

Bellringer 11/5

More Republicans have won this year than Democrats. Elections are important so we have a say in who is making the laws and being our connection to Washington. We have elections because we are a democracy. It is important to vote so that, everyone's say is in who gets elected. If only the people who like one candidate go out and vote, but the others thinks that there vote isn't important then, voting is pointless. The only way voting works is if everyone does it and by their believes. As always, there were more male winners, but in the ones that women actually ran, many of them won.

Assignment 11/3

    When voting in the future, I will look at one's background, accomplishments, personality, and their knowledge. It is also important to notice if they have been part of the government, and what they have done as part of the government. I will look at what they promise to do, and see if they actually have a plan. I will consider their believes and views on important issues. Ultimately, I will vote for whoever I feel best fits the job.
    Looking at one's background doesn't mean digging up everything they did wrong in the past. I will focus on their previous jobs and schooling. A candidate must have a background of doing the right things, and working with the community. I will not vote for someone that has a solid background, not someone that has repeatedly messed up. Background is important because, the past tells a lot about a person, and what they stand for.
    A candidate must be friendly and loyal. I hate when someone is running and just bashes their opponent. It really shows their character. Personality is important because, we have a democracy. No matter what they are running for, they will have to be able to work with other people. Also, they should have strong morals and actually care about the people in our nation or community.
    Knowledge of government is important. However, I will not vote for someone with more experience. I will look at what they have done with that experience. If they've been in government for ten years and have accomplished nothing, then why not give someone else the chance? They also must have a plan, not just talk about all they plan to do with no way to back it up.
    To conclude, when I vote in the future I will look at a lot of things. I won't just pay attention to the commercials, and what is going on in the news. If I'm going to vote, I will know the person well. It doesn't matter Republican or Democrat to me, I'm concerned with who is best for the job. If they are tackling issues I feel is important, then I will vote for them. If they haven't done anything while in office of any type, my vote will go to the other because, we should give new people chances instead of the same people five chances.

Bellringer 11/3

1. Brittany Maynard wanted to die peacefully. She didn't want to suffer or have her family go through the terrible things that brain cancer does. She was suffering with seizures and neck pain.
2. It is a suicide, which is a no. God would not approve, and it is a sin.
3. I believe that it is your choice. If she wouldn't have had to medicine to aid her, she probably would've tried overdosing or something. You can't force someone to live, no matter what your own believes are. She might not even believe in God.

Bellringer 10/30

1. This article is about the political races in West Virginia. Shelley Capito is currently running for West Virginia U.S. senate. She could possible make history as the first woman elected for Senate in West Virginia. With all the elections going on, West Virginia might be a Republican state.
2.  I agree with this article and think she will win.

Bellringer 10/28

1. This helps my case because, it shows that people don't always get the right attorneys.
2. I believe they were because, with all the evidence of terrible legal counsel, you can't kill a man. The article says all of what he did, but without being appealed correctly, this might be false.

10/28

This article is ridiculous. These laws make absolutely no sense and are pointless. Laws are supposed to protect people and our nation, not these little things. I believe people were just trying to see if they could get ridiculous laws passed. These laws reflect a lot on America, and they disgust me.

10/27

1. They are seeking the death penalty because, Lee abandoned passengers which were school-children.
2. I do not agree because, although it was his job to save the children, he didn't kill them purposely. There is no law saying that he must save the children instead of himself.
3. Yes I do. The death penalty is the only sure punishment. Many prisoners go to jail, and get wonderful treatment and free food. The death penalty would be best for all. They also couldn't escape.

Bellringer 10/17

1. Nurses in Texas weren't properly equipped when they had to deal with Ebola. They exposed their neck. The hospital was in chaos, and there were no cleaning crews where the patient was. One of the nurses had to ask for a mop herself.
2. I'm not surprised. Americans always have this feeling that nothing bad can ever happen to us. When a catastrophe strikes, we're never prepared.

Presidential Report Card

Presidential Report Card

Name of President: __Franklin D. Roosevelt__________

Number of Presidency:_______32_________

Years in Office: _________12______

In the following ten categories, grade your president from an A to an F. (You may “acknowledge” border-line grades with a – or a +).  You will need to give a 50 word justification as to why your candidate scored as they did.

Category                                                        Grade                                                  Comments

Ability to handle and deal with a crisis        A                        Franklin D. Roosevelt was able to handle the Great Depression crisis at its peak.  He helped establish a relationship between federal government and people’s economy. Although he was still recovering from the loss of use of his legs, he still stepped up and became President. I know his polio wasn’t exactly an American crisis, but it still shows his power to be determined for the people no matter what. He was also President when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He handled everything that was thrown at him and a wonderful manner.

Ability to work with Congress and Cabinet     A             during his time as President, Roosevelt worked very hard to establish a relationship between Congress and his Cabinet. Congress passed many Acts including the Social Security Act and Emergency Banking Relief Act. He had more women than ever in federal posts and made sure African Americans were included. Also, he appointed the first women in the cabinet, Nancy Perkins. Only one of his plans was turned down by Congress.

Character and Integrity                           A                 Franklin D. Roosevelt was a very determined man. He struggled with polio and many setbacks during his time of Presidency but never gave up. He was determined to see the war until its conclusion disregarding the fact that he was very ill. He related with the people and had radio

Education                                            A -                    FDR not only attended college but he attended Harvard, Columbia University Law School and Groton Preparatory school. At Harvard FDR was an Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, editor of the Harvard Crimson newspaper and received his degree in only three years. However, at Harvard he was an average C student which is why he receives an A-.

Empathy                                A                             FDR felt everything with America. That is why he had such a strong connection with the public and always won in a landslide. He felt profoundly and even refused his own illness until the war was over. He himself was struggling with polio which is probably why he had such an amazing empathy with the people.

Foreign Policy                         B                         FDR wasn't bad with the foreign policy. He increased defense budget and helped defend with the Holocaust coming on. However, we didn't help the Jews until we were attacked by Pearl Harbor. If we would've entered earlier then, we could have stopped it earlier. He did build a great military and work well with the other allies.

Relates to the common man          A              FDR doesn't seem himself higher than the people he was representing. He would hold radio talks and other public announcements where he would talk with the country. Again, he was struggling with polio himself. He spoke directly to the people in fireside chats. He would speak to a normal hard working man not the high held up people.

Persuasiveness                            A                     FDR was great with persuading the people, Congress and other nations. With the famous “Four Freedoms,” speech, FDR persuaded Congress. He also is ranked one of the highest among all the presidents by scholars for persuasion and communication.

Political Experience               A                     FDR receives an A because, he was New York State Senate and the Assistant Secretary of the Navy before becoming President. These experiences gave him great knowledge before becoming president. It was also a chairman for the Agriculture committee during his second term of Senate. FDR had plenty of political experience.

Public speaking & Communication              A              FDR made sure he was heard all the time. He was the first president to use the radio to address the nation. He gave many speeches to the public considering there was so much going on during his time as president. After Pearl Harbor, he gave a great speech using clear words and text that everyone could use.

10/15 bellringer

College graduates should look for employment in rare jobs, because they are increasing. Jobs like genetic counseling and anything technology based. Teachers are always at a need as well.

10/14

1. The focus is on the economy.
2. Parkersburg, WV

bellringer 10/13

1. No nothing surprises me anymore about privacy. Any app or electronic that you use can be hacked and leaked.
2. No privacy doesn't exist. They can say they have all these walls and everything but stuff can still be hacked.

Bellringer 10/10

1. I agree that she should be able to because, its her life. Many of us may not believe in it, but how are we to tell someone they have to live in misery?
2. Suicide is completely different. With euthanasia, a doctor has offered to help you if a professional doesn't believe you will get better and will suffer, then you're life is already over.
3. I'm not even sure how I would feel. I think I would try to fight, but you never know.

bellringer 10/09

1. The economy is ridiculous. People spend money on crazy things like a hamburger? Different regions would never pay that much for a burger.
2. Probably not because, it doesn't even sound good. I would feel weird eating a hamburger that costs so much.

Bellringer 10/8

1. I'm not surprised at all. It is common everywhere you go for waitresses and such to flirt to get higher tips, but then complain about being sexually harassed.
2. I think wages should be raised for tip workers because, they shouldn't have to feel the need to be like that and get sexually harassed.
3. They should pass a law and federal budget for raising the minimum wage for tip workers.

Bellringer 10/6

1. These articles attempt to get you to click on the link to open up a virus.

2. I knew about this. I try not to click on anything unless I recognize the site or if it seems legit.  

Bellringer 10/2

1. There are other disease that kill more people that we don't care about. Ebola isn't air borne so it has to be transmitted by bodily fluids.
2. Influenza, Measles, and Norovirus. In some ways,
3. I don't have any personal concerns with it. I won't be concerned until it becomes air borne. It is just like the other diseases and such we have, you can prevent it.

9/30 Bellringer

1. The court system will have to deal with it by if they said yes, not just if they said no. Before, if people didn't say no then, it was seen as yes.
2. This will  make the charge of rape easier because, it is easier to simply narrow it down to did he/she say yes or did they just assume?

Oct. 1

1. He shouldn't have been because, it is his right to pray. If Tim Tebow can do it then, so can he.
2. The first
3. Meet with all the refs or have a broadcast announcing that you are allowed to pray, but you can't go to your knees in celebration. Clear up the rule.

9/29 Assignment

1. http://www.wfsb.com/story/26582661/valley-high-school-football-coach-suspended-for-praying-with-players This article discusses how a high school coach was suspended for two games after being apart of a team prayer. The coach didn't even lead the prayer, he simply joined in. The headmaster is arguing that it goes against church and state separation.

2. http://www.offthegridnews.com/2013/11/28/constitutional-amendment-introduced-in-congress-that-would-abolish-irs-income-tax/ A group of congressmen are wanting to repeal the 16th amendment. They want to get rid of the IRS all together. They aren't saying what they want to replace it with though. They believe that income taxes are too hard to go through with, and they can't propose different plans for raising revenue with the 16th amendment in place/

3. In 2010, there was a Supreme Court case of McDonald v. Chicago. The case was about the second amendment. Cities in Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois were producing laws against handguns. The laws almost denied the right to a handgun to all private citizens. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled the laws unconstitutional of the Second Amendment.

4. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) This case ruled that the separation of children in public schools was against the 14th amendment. A child was denied access to Topeka's "white" school. Brown claimed that Topeka's racial segregation violated the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause because the city's black and white schools were not equal to each other and never could be. In the end, Brown won, and the court ruled that separation of public schools was unconstitutional.

5. I would choose the 1st amendment. It gives you five rights, and allows you freedom that we often take for granted.

9/29

1. They are protesting Beijing's refusal to allow a genuine choice of candidates for the 2017 vote for Hong Kong's leader.
2. The right to vote and protest.

9/26 bellringer

1. This indicates that West Virginia doesn't few education as a top priority. They try to find jobs that don't require a college degree and explains why our state is low income.
2. West Virginia is a low income state so people feel they can't afford it.
3. Stress more the idea that you get about $20,000 more a year.

9/25

1. He tried to make that the terrorist groups were dangerous, and that America is right to address problems of global violence.
2. He wasn't too affective because, he focused on the United States a lot and went back on what he said at the UN last year. Probably about a 5/10.

9/24

1. I don't agree with the new policy because, it should be up to the owner and the customers. They aren't being forced to set in a smoking area, and non-smoking areas are always available. Also, you don't have to eat there.
2. Businesses might have to rearrange everything. What are they going to do with the section that was sectioned off just for smoking? Also, they could lose business if they start to smoke and then are asked to stop. It is hard to open up a new policy like this when people aren't use to it.

9/23/14

1. It is important to have Arab allies to show that we aren't just targeting Arabs, we are targeting terrorist groups. Also, they can help us get into the areas and provide us with insight. It is important to get Allies so that it shows the terrorists aren't just affecting Americans.
2. I believe Syria will try to fight back. They aren't happy with what is happening and don't plan to let us attack like we did Iraq.

9/22/14

1. I believe that the age for voting shouldn't be lowered because, sixteen year olds aren't focused on what is going on in the world. You might simply get a double vote from a parent who is forcing their child to go vote.
2. I think the age now is appropriate.

Bellringer 09/18

New data from the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium has revealed that ISIS is putting governing structures in place to rule the territories the group conquers once the dust settles on the battlefield. The research shows how ISIS has gone from being a purely military force to building a system that can provide basic services, such as making sure that gas and food are available, to its new citizens.As time goes on, ISIS is evolving into a government whose political decision-making cannot be separated from its military capabilities.

9/14

I believe that getting whipped is reasonable punishment. My parents did so. It just depends on how far you cross the line. If you are beating your child that's completely different.
2. Discipline isn't what it use to be. Whipping was the punishment back then. Children aren't going to understand something is bad when you are just telling them.

9/12

I'm pretty surprised. It scares me a lot, but I believe our country can handle it. I'm completely baffled. I think they should hunt this group down right now, don't wait for something to happen.

9/9 Bellringer

1. No I'm not.
2. American Society will be eating their life away. However, they won't be eating at fast food restaurants which is good.
3. Americans have a choice to eat there or not. Yes, it is unhealthy, but it is also a choice. They aren't being forced.
4. I would eat at the Roadhouse, and it would be steak and loaded cheese fries.

9/8 Bellringer

Fred Mayer was an important spy for America during World War II. Even though Mayer had been through so much with the Germans, he doesn't hold a grudge. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941, Mayer volunteered to join the U.S. Army. He proved to be a good soldier, and his knowledge of several European languages landed him in the newly formed Office of Strategic.

Bellringer 9/5

1. This could be a problem for citizens because it is messing up their phone connections and service. If they needed to do something right then, their phone would be too slowly. Some people may think it's a danger because their phone is being hacked, but the NSA already reads all of them anyways.
2. I think they are beside military bases for safety reasons. So the government can protect terrorists near the military bases from communicating.
3. Yes I do believe the government is in charge of this for the same reasons as why they are near military bases. The U.S. wouldn't allow these fake phone towers near military bases without their knowledge.

Bellringer 9/4

1. India will be at high risk and they mat be alert.
2. They are targeting India because they have a high Muslim population.
3. The U.S. needs to prepare and be alert. This terrorist group will spread and possibly start war with us or one of our allies.

Bellringer 9/3/14

1. Rick Perry is being accused of using his Governor power wrongly. He is reacting to  Rosemary Lehmberg's drunk driving.

2. Yes, I do. If the power he is using is the power that a governor has then, he isn't overusing it. It is his job to fund certain programs, and if the program is being ran by a irresponsible person, why fund it? That is giving money and funding away to someone who should be losing their job.

Bellringer and Assignment 8/29/14

1. The instructor
2. Yes, if they are being supervised properly.
3. No they should not be because, they are more dangerous than normal rifles.

8/28/14 Bellringer

Article 1: defines legislative branch and its powers

Article 2:Executive Branch, it's powers, duties, and means of removal.

Article 3: sets up the Judicial Branch and defines treason.

Article 4: regulates the states' powers, and their interaction with the National government.

Article 5: sets up the amendment process.

Article 6: Supreme law of land

Article 7:ratification and declares that the constitution should take affect if 9 out of 13 states ratify.

Bellringer 8/26

U.S. are planning to fly planes over Syria which will provide potential targets if airstrikes against Islamic State militants are approved. Surveillance flights over Syria would allow the military to get a better picture of the viability of the airstrikes. Obama hasn't decided which steps to take in Syria yet.

8/20/14 Bellringer

1. U.S. government is causing CEO's to pay high taxes. They are being forced to find overseas partners where the taxes aren't so high.
2. The purpose of taxes is so that the government has money to pay for unfunded organizations like public school, roads, and other useful things that Americans use. They don't realize that their tax dollars actually go towards them.
3. In my opinion, taxes should be based on ho much income you make. Therefore, the rich should pay the most taxes.

BR 8/19/14

1. One mistake was saying that they would release the name of the officer involved in shooting on Tuesday, but then went back on their word. You can't tell an angry group of people one thing to settle them down, then not do it. It makes the situation worse. Also, the City of Ferguson asked them to protest only during the daytime. You have the right to protest peacefully, without any time restrictions. The protests were already violent, but telling the ones that were being peaceful that they couldn't protest when they wanted just added a flame to the fire.

2. Excessive force is when you use unnecessary violence or force just so things are easier. I do believe excessive force was used in the Brown shooting. I don't see where you would need to shoot someone six times, unless you wanted to make sure they were dead. I believe excessive force was used so that Brown couldn't testify against the police officer.
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3. I would bring in upper authorities and stop letting the Ferguson police handle the protests. There is obviously tension there. I would let the Ferguson police focus on day to day duties. Also, I would just continue on investigating the shooting of Brown. I would also make a public announcement about how these violent protests are stopping young children from getting an education. School was suppose to start four days ago.

First Blog Entry

Dear Karlie
By the end of this school year, I hope I change some things at Philip Barbour. I hope I bring more school spirit and bring classes together. I will be accepted to WVU already, and ready to start your life in Morgantown. I hope to learn things that will help in college. I hope to pass my AP Bio exam, and be ready to have biology as my major. I will finish my senior project and get an A on it. I want to change some of my friends' behaviors and put them on the right tract before they go out to college. I will try to guide them in the right direction and keep them under my wing throughout the year. I'll see how well I did, I guess.

A year from now, I will be attending my first class at WVU. I'll be living in Morgantown. I'm not sure who I'll be living with, rather it be in a dorm or an apartment. I will have a job and be able to manage my time wisely. I hope that I keep my friends, but make plenty of new ones. I hope that a year from now, I'll be sharing a house with Paige, Devin, Caleb, and Keeley, but not everything goes as planned. I have a goal of knowing what exactly I want to do with my life by this time next year. I hope to have a great major that I'll keep all four years at WVU. I hope I remember to call my family and check up on my mom. I can't get caught up in college and forget about them.

Be you,

       Karlie