Another example of the United States Government and the Military Industrial Complex choosing money and power over the lives of innocent people.
"Washington, Moscow and other non-signers say cluster bombs have legitimate military uses such as repelling advancing troop columns. But according to the group Handicap International, 98 percent of cluster-bomb victims are civilians, and 27 percent are children."
If you want the madness to stop feel free to hit up your
Senators: (Klobuchar, Coleman, Franken) and Reps (Ellison)
Your President: (Bush, Obama)
Your Secretary of Defense: (Gates)
What Are Cluster Bombs?
What else can you do more locally?
I'd put pictures on here, but they'd all be a bit too graphic.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Senate Recount Underway
The Senate recount is underway and its changing by the day.
For updates check here.
For updates check here.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Anti Prop 8 and GLBTQQA
Hey you! What you doing for Equality, Liberty, Security, Love, Positivity, America, Humanity?
Rallies around the country, world -and right here in the Minneapolis and St Paul.
Article
CNN video
Facebook facebook also
website (local) website (national)
This info was way too late and anyway we are on evals... so lets try again in January (next pretest) ok?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Elections Update
MN
PRESIDENTIAL
McCain 44%
Obama 54%
Nader 1%
CONGRESSIONAL
Representatives
District 1 Walz 63% (D)
District 2 Kline 57% (R)
District 3 Paulsen 48% (R)
District 4 McCollum 69% (D)
District 5 Ellison 71% (D)
District 6 Bachmann 46% (R)
District 7 Peterson 72% (D)
District 8 Oberstar 68% (D)
Senate
Coleman 42% (R)
Franken 42% (D)
Barkley 15% (I)
*Automatic Recount*
The MN State House is a little bit harder to find information on, however it seems that Democrats picked up seats last night.
CLEAN WATER, WILDLIFE, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND NATURAL AREAS
Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034?
of likely passage of the amendment
NATIONAL
99% of precincts reporting
100% of precincts reporting
PRESIDENTIAL
McCain 44%
Obama 54%
Nader 1%
CONGRESSIONAL
Representatives
District 1 Walz 63% (D)
District 2 Kline 57% (R)
District 3 Paulsen 48% (R)
District 4 McCollum 69% (D)
District 5 Ellison 71% (D)
District 6 Bachmann 46% (R)
District 7 Peterson 72% (D)
District 8 Oberstar 68% (D)
Senate
Coleman 42% (R)
Franken 42% (D)
Barkley 15% (I)
*Automatic Recount*
The MN State House is a little bit harder to find information on, however it seems that Democrats picked up seats last night.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034?
Estimated Percent of YES* = 56.08 %
*An estimated YES percentage of greater than 50% is an indicationof likely passage of the amendment
STRONG SCHOOLS STRONG CITY PASSED!!!
NATIONAL
Ballot Measures
|
Yes
|
1,040,633
| 56% |
No
|
801,892
| 44% |
99% of precincts reporting
Arizona Proposition 202:
Updated 1 minute ago
No
|
1,049,840
| 59% |
Yes
|
726,663
| 41% |
99% of precincts reporting
Arkansas Initiative 1:
6:03 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
Yes
|
580,162
| 57% |
No
|
437,974
| 43% |
100% of precincts reporting
California Proposition 8:
Updated 17 minutes ago
Yes
|
5,344,012
| 52% |
No
|
4,854,132
| 48% |
99% of precincts reporting
No
|
5,125,644
| 52% |
Yes
|
4,721,848
| 48% |
99% of precincts reporting
No
|
993,555
| 50% |
Yes
|
979,517
| 50% |
91% of precincts reporting
Colorado Amendment 48:
4:37 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
No
|
1,478,303
| 73% |
Yes
|
551,288
| 27% |
91% of precincts reporting
Yes
|
4,717,753
| 62% |
No
|
2,883,847
| 38% |
99% of precincts reporting
Yes
|
1,312,717
| 59% |
No
|
928,646
| 41% |
99% of precincts reporting
Massachusetts Question 1:
3:31 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
No
|
2,062,596
| 70% |
Yes
|
901,584
| 30% |
99% of precincts reporting
Yes
|
3,005,678
| 63% |
No
|
1,792,497
| 37% |
100% of precincts reporting
Michigan Proposition 2:
1:07 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
Yes
|
2,520,240
| 53% |
No
|
2,271,071
| 47% |
100% of precincts reporting
Yes
|
384,839
| 58% |
No
|
283,451
| 42% |
South Dakota Initiative 11:
6:02 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
No
|
206,479
| 55% |
Yes
|
167,520
| 45% |
Washington Initiative 1000:
6:02 p.m. EST, Nov 5 '08
Yes
|
1,013,307
| 59% |
No
|
708,278
| 41% |
60% of precincts reporting
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
For All You Crazy Activists
Here are some websites
Check out a screening of Terrorizing Dissent (see your classmates in action) *downloadable*
Twin Cities IndyMedia
Glass Bead Collective
Arise! Bookstore
Defend the RNC 8
RNC Arrestee Support
COLDSNAP Legal Collective
PPEHRC
For a more openly violent view of the RNC than the Terrorizing Dissent video
check out the stimulator at submedia (make sure to check out their opening video) or this video:
Ground Noise and Static
Part 1
part 2
part 3
Check out a screening of Terrorizing Dissent (see your classmates in action) *downloadable*
Twin Cities IndyMedia
Glass Bead Collective
Arise! Bookstore
Defend the RNC 8
RNC Arrestee Support
COLDSNAP Legal Collective
PPEHRC
For a more openly violent view of the RNC than the Terrorizing Dissent video
check out the stimulator at submedia (make sure to check out their opening video) or this video:
Ground Noise and Static
Part 1
part 2
part 3
Monday, November 3, 2008
Election Voter Fraud and other things.
ACORN and Minority Voter Harassment
ACORN Employees on their work
Intimidation in MN
ACORN Employees on their work
Intimidation in MN
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Fun Fun Fun (elections)
Synchronized Presidential Debating
Final Debate in a Minute
2nd Debate in a Minute
Sunday Show Round Up
Senate Race (liberal perspective)
Friday, October 24, 2008
World History (When NOT at school)
Remember you are not allowed to go to this website while at school. (NO YOUTUBE)
This is a link to a number of documentaries on the Civilizations of Mexico (Aztec, Maya etc)
This is a link to a number of documentaries on the Civilizations of Mexico (Aztec, Maya etc)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
U.S. Representative District 5 (elections)
YOU are representing your nominee for Representative for the United States House of Representatives (5th district, Minneapolis).
Please find some back ground information at your candidate's website and present the reasons why your classmates should vote for your nominee.
Keith Ellison (Democrat, Incumbent)
Barb Davis White (Republican)
Bill McGaughey (Independent)
Adri Mehra (Green) Write in vote
Please find some back ground information at your candidate's website and present the reasons why your classmates should vote for your nominee.
Keith Ellison (Democrat, Incumbent)
Barb Davis White (Republican)
Bill McGaughey (Independent)
Adri Mehra (Green) Write in vote
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Asia! (World History)
Go to the website
Check out the tutorial or beginner level of the Asian Countries
Write down two countries you have never heard of.
What are they next to?
(((This might be an Eval)))
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Middle East Map (World History)
1) Go to the Sheppard Software website.
2) Learn the countries of the Middle East by playing the tutorial or beginner level.
3) When you have played through the beginner level, try the third level or harder.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Current Events (Elections)
The Couric/Palin Interview and SNL
The Debate in Sunday Review
Debate in 1 minute
The Debate in Sunday Review
Debate in 1 minute
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday Show Roundup (Elections)
This group (Talking Points Media) is generally a more leftist group, (meaning they lean towards the Democrats) but weekly they do a "Sunday Show Roundup" in which they pull clips from several political shows on Sunday and basically show what people are talking about.
What are people talking about?
What are people talking about?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sept McCain and Republican Ads (Elections)
"Crisis" Ads
"Enough is Enough" Ads
"Original Mavericks" Ad
"Foundation" Ad
"Disrespectful" Ad
"Enough is Enough" Ads
"Original Mavericks" Ad
"Foundation" Ad
"Disrespectful" Ad
Sept Obama and Democrat Advertisements (elections)
"Plan for Change" Ad
"Sold Us Out" Ad
"Fundamentals" Ad
"Honor" Ad
"The McCain Gamble"
"Sold Us Out" Ad
"Fundamentals" Ad
"Honor" Ad
"The McCain Gamble"
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
You Decide Issues (Elections)
This website features a devil's advocate to issues.
Pick one of the issues available, state your preference and learn about the arguments from the other side.
Soon we will watch the presidential and vice presidential debates where each side will argue about these same things in an attempt to convince the undecided voters that they have better policy positions. In the past presidential candidates have relied on many different types of arguments including appeals to people's emotions ("I'm one of you, " I grew up... or my parents struggled..." "I recently talked to this person who is in trouble" ) and informative arguments like the ones that this website makes.
Which is more convincing?
Do you think the voters agree?
Pick one of the issues available, state your preference and learn about the arguments from the other side.
Soon we will watch the presidential and vice presidential debates where each side will argue about these same things in an attempt to convince the undecided voters that they have better policy positions. In the past presidential candidates have relied on many different types of arguments including appeals to people's emotions ("I'm one of you, " I grew up... or my parents struggled..." "I recently talked to this person who is in trouble" ) and informative arguments like the ones that this website makes.
Which is more convincing?
Do you think the voters agree?
States by Electoral votes (Elections)
As we have already learned, in order to win a Presidential Election a candidate must have 270 of the 536 possible electoral votes.
A candidate receives those votes by winning a state. In some cases a state may split their electoral votes to distribute the votes more democratically.
Using this Poll Data
and the electoral map showing how many votes each state receives,
try to figure out a few winning combinations of states.
Using the Poll Data again, what are some common elements of Blue States(Democrat Leaning)? of Red States(Republican Leaning)?
(Where are they located? What do you know about those areas? Are they rich/poor? What kinds of industries/businesses do they have? Are they heavily populated or not?)
The 2000 election came down to Florida, the 2004 election came down to Ohio, Do you think that something like that could happen again? (Which states seem to be possible showdowns? Why?) -check out these links if you need help.
(This poll data comes from "battle ground" states, is it helpful?)
(These are some of the daily headlines concerning polling from one of the major organizations that collects this data)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
World History
Instructions:
Go this website
1) Go through the time line to see when inventions, civilizations and events came to be.
2) Record at least 5 of the events in your notes and say why they are significant to you.
3) Do the geography exercises below.
Go this website
1) Go through the time line to see when inventions, civilizations and events came to be.
2) Record at least 5 of the events in your notes and say why they are significant to you.
3) Do the geography exercises below.
African Geography
Instructions:
GO to this site:
Look at the tutorial for either African "Countries", or African "Landscapes."
-continue trying the different landscape categories (rivers, oceans).
When you think you are ready for a challenge (in the countries category) try the third level.
If you are really awesome try the 6th level.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
PRIMARY DAY (Elections)
It is Primary Day in the state of MN
What is a primary?
From Wikipedia
"A primary election (nominating primary), also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words, primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the following general election. "Primaries" are common in the United States, where their origins are traced to the progressive movement. There, primary elections are conducted by government on behalf of the parties. Elsewhere in the world, the nomination of candidates is usually the responsibility of the political party organizations themselves and does not involve the general public."
Why does a primary matter?
Earlier this year representatives of each party had the opportunity to choose one candidate from a group of candidates during what is called a "caucus." A caucus is usually a long boring meeting in which people from the party discuss party politics such as: what will be the parties goals, what rules should we follow, who should we support, etc.
These meetings can last a whole day and sometimes longer, but by the end of the caucus there is usually a political nominee chosen by the party to represent it.
During a primary, the regular citizens (not at the party meeting) can choose whether they agree with the party or not.
What is a primary?
From Wikipedia
"A primary election (nominating primary), also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a jurisdiction select candidates for a subsequent election. In other words, primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the following general election. "Primaries" are common in the United States, where their origins are traced to the progressive movement. There, primary elections are conducted by government on behalf of the parties. Elsewhere in the world, the nomination of candidates is usually the responsibility of the political party organizations themselves and does not involve the general public."
Why does a primary matter?
Earlier this year representatives of each party had the opportunity to choose one candidate from a group of candidates during what is called a "caucus." A caucus is usually a long boring meeting in which people from the party discuss party politics such as: what will be the parties goals, what rules should we follow, who should we support, etc.
These meetings can last a whole day and sometimes longer, but by the end of the caucus there is usually a political nominee chosen by the party to represent it.
During a primary, the regular citizens (not at the party meeting) can choose whether they agree with the party or not.
This is important because the caucus was held in spring and a lot could change by the time of the election. For example, if a nominee was chosen in spring who had a clean record, but during the summer they got into a drunk driving accident, the people could choose a new representative to run during the election.
How can I be involved? (this is the best question to ask yourself)
1) Go here to see where you vote.
2) Go here for more information on voting.
3) Go here to see a huge list of all the offices being voted on.
4) Look around the Secretary of State page.
1) Go here to see where you vote.
2) Go here for more information on voting.
3) Go here to see a huge list of all the offices being voted on.
4) Look around the Secretary of State page.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Choose a Candidate (Elections class)
This multiple choice test will help you determine which presidential
or senatorial candidate most closely matches your views.
Instructions:
1) Go to website, click on "U.S. President" or "U.S. Senator"
2) Read the descriptions of the issue, and find the opinion that matches yours (if any).
3) Make sure to rate how important the issue is to you.
4) When you have finished record the results in your notes including the percentage they matched with you, and some issues that stood out as having similar positions (green checks) or dissimilar (red x's).
5) Click on the candidate that most closely matched with you to read more about their positions.
6) Compare with someone else who has finished. We will discuss as a class.
Anything surprise you?
or senatorial candidate most closely matches your views.
Instructions:
1) Go to website, click on "U.S. President" or "U.S. Senator"
2) Read the descriptions of the issue, and find the opinion that matches yours (if any).
3) Make sure to rate how important the issue is to you.
4) When you have finished record the results in your notes including the percentage they matched with you, and some issues that stood out as having similar positions (green checks) or dissimilar (red x's).
5) Click on the candidate that most closely matched with you to read more about their positions.
6) Compare with someone else who has finished. We will discuss as a class.
Anything surprise you?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
FALL 08 Freakishly Fun line up!
-U.S. HISTORY (Or something like it.)
-WORLD HISTORY (Probably just the first part.)
-ELECTIONS (Its that time! we might as well figure out what its all about.)
WOW we really got behind on this.
By "we" I meant "I" really got behind on this. Quick recap.
Day 12 was a research day and some students began presenting on Judaism and Christianity. This was followed by an awesome question and answer period in which our student experts showed off their incredible wealth of knowledge!
Day 13 students from the Hinduism and Buddhism groups presented quite awesomely. This was once again followed up by a question and answer period and then I took questions from the class to clear up any loose ends.
Day 14 the Islam group presented, complete with the 5 pillars of Islam and some Pictures, and this was followed by Q & A to the extreme! (okay I'm just getting cheesy.)
and research on smaller religions that continued on day 16.
Days 15 and 16 and 17, students researched and presented on such wide ranging religions as Rastafarian-ism and the Amish. They highlighted each presentation with some facts they found that were interesting to them.
Sorry for the rough wrap up... but just you wait for the fall lineup!
Day 12 was a research day and some students began presenting on Judaism and Christianity. This was followed by an awesome question and answer period in which our student experts showed off their incredible wealth of knowledge!
Day 13 students from the Hinduism and Buddhism groups presented quite awesomely. This was once again followed up by a question and answer period and then I took questions from the class to clear up any loose ends.
Day 14 the Islam group presented, complete with the 5 pillars of Islam and some Pictures, and this was followed by Q & A to the extreme! (okay I'm just getting cheesy.)
and research on smaller religions that continued on day 16.
Days 15 and 16 and 17, students researched and presented on such wide ranging religions as Rastafarian-ism and the Amish. They highlighted each presentation with some facts they found that were interesting to them.
Sorry for the rough wrap up... but just you wait for the fall lineup!
Monday, July 7, 2008
World Religions Day 12
*****Days 10-11 were spent working on posters and other elements for the presentations. *****
Presentations
Students in the Judaism and Christianity groups gave excellent 10-15 minute presentations today. Each presentation was followed by audience (peers) questions which tended to ignite excellent discussions on more in depth elements of the religion.
Salvation or Oppression?
After both groups had presented many of the common stereotypical arguments between the two groups were brought up and students began to critique both some of the hype surrounding the religions and some of the principles of the religions themselves. Several students felt that these religions were developed to suppress the masses, or at least that in their current form they were more oppressive than helpful.
Presentations
Students in the Judaism and Christianity groups gave excellent 10-15 minute presentations today. Each presentation was followed by audience (peers) questions which tended to ignite excellent discussions on more in depth elements of the religion.
Salvation or Oppression?
After both groups had presented many of the common stereotypical arguments between the two groups were brought up and students began to critique both some of the hype surrounding the religions and some of the principles of the religions themselves. Several students felt that these religions were developed to suppress the masses, or at least that in their current form they were more oppressive than helpful.
Monday, June 30, 2008
World Religions Day 8
Research Day 3
Students spent their day finding facts about their religions.
Several students completed their packet and are ready to move on to planning their presentation.
Several students completed their packet and are ready to move on to planning their presentation.
******setbacks******
Several students have not been to class or have been unable to contribute to their group causing a few of the groups to be on a drastically different schedule for completion than others.
*********************************************************************************
Recent National Geographic Videos (cultural and religious rituals)
Entering adulthood (Papa New Guinea tribe)
Entering Adulthood (Amish)
Entering Adulthood (Mali tribe)
***************************************************************************
Buddhism in Laos
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