Our Own Government Suspending Rights....Say It Aint So...

Watch the following 60 Minutes segment on how the US Government suspended rights after 9/11. Were they right or wrong in doing so?

Education

To infinity and beyond......Well lets just start with the basics... Why is education so important in the 2010 Governor election? How might education sway the tide of this election??? Is school really that big of a deal? What role does it play in the shaping of Massachusetts future???? Jump down the rabbit hole and find out....


Links:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/09/05/Points_of_view_Education/

http://www.ontheissues.org/Deval_Patrick.htm#Education



Govenors websites:
http://devalpatrick.com/?_splash=2#3


http://www.charliebaker2010.com/issuesEducation.php

tim cahill no education link


nytimes link:
http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/governor/massachusetts

Election Project-The Casino Debate in Mass

http://www.boston.com/news/specials/casino/

Tons of info regarding the debate from Boston.com. Scroll down the left tabs to earlier articles to see when and how the debate started.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/312253/are_casinos_a_good_bet_for_massachusetts.html?cat=11

This website has some great pros and cons of the issue. Easy to read and gives a nice overview of the effects casinos would bring to Mass.

Video is pro casinos and looks at the economics of the issue.

Election Project -- Cape Wind

Are you interested in the environmental politics? If so, check out the following resources to learn more about the controversial Cape Wind project.

The official website of Cape Wind can be found at http://www.capewind.org/ . Keep in mind that this site is heavily biased in favor of the project.

This site was developed by the Olin College of Engineering and gives a brief overview of wind power and some of the key pros and cons. http://serv.olin.edu/engineeringdiscovery/handouts/windmills.pdf

This link will lead you to the reputable News Hour program on PBS. They have provided in depth coverage of both sides of the issue: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/science/wind_power/landseawindfarms.html

Similarly, Boston's NPR station WBUR has provided excellent coverage of the issue:




The following will lead you to a newspaper article focusing on the cons associated with the project: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3&did=2140425181&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1286213571&clientId=4399

I also found that searching Cape Wind on Galenet Opposing Viewpoints or Massachusetts Newspapers on the Library Resources page yielded great results.

Enjoy!

Election Project --Immigration

Is immigration an issue you feel is important in the 2010 governor's race? Check out these links to find out more about this complex issue.

This first resource comes from an independant organization (procon.org) whose goal is to provide both sides of the issue. Take a look at this first to get an idea about why immigration has become a divisive issue. http://immigration.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000842

Now read some current issues in the state of MA. These are from newspapers reporting about policies and bills that the state has passed or is considering regarding immigration.

Article from the NY Times on the State Senate's approval of a bill.
www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28mass.html?_r=1

Boston.com's article on the Senate's vote
www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/mass_senate_pas.html

Immigration and health care in MA
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&did=1830924011&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1286203063&clientld=4399

Immigration and economic struggles in MA
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3&did=1783669541&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1286203063&clientld=4399

Massachusetts to lose a representative?

As you will soon learn in Social Studies class, the legislative branch is split into two chambers. Each state elects two senators to represent the state in Congress. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives, on the other hand, is determined by population. The larger the state's population, the more representatives it sends to the House. The following article describes a change that might occur for Massachusetts. Since Massachusetts has lost population since the last population census, our state may lose a representative to Congress in 2012. What does this mean for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? What effect will this have on our lives? Why do you think Massachusetts is losing population?

Mass. may lose congressional seat in ’12
September 28, 2010
WASHINGTON — Massachusetts is expected to be one of 10 states to lose congressional seats in 2012 as a result of shifting populations, according to a new study.

Massachusetts would join Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in losing one seat, projections from Election Data Services Inc. revealed. New York and Ohio would each lose two seats.

Texas would be the biggest beneficiary, gaining four seats, with Florida in line for two more seats, and one each for Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington.

The reapportionment process will begin after the census numbers are released, probably in late December. Each state will then have to draw new congressional districts in time for the 2012 elections.

The prediction is not a surprise for the Commonwealth. State officials and members of the 10-seat Massachusetts delegation have been aware of such a likelihood for months.

There were, however, some unexpected projections in the report. “We were most surprised at the shift of an additional district out of New York and down to Florida, even though that follows the population movement in this country since World War II,’’ said Kimball Brace, president of the election data firm.

No other state in New England would be affected, although Rhode Island is only narrowly expected to keep both of its congressional districts; if the census numbers come in lower than expected, it could lose one of those seats.

In Massachusetts, the Legislature redraws the districts, which could lead to two incumbents facing off in the primaries in 2012.

Election Data Services released the study this past weekend at a redistricting seminar of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Providence. — MATT VISER


Citation: Associated Press. "Mass. May Lose Congressional Seat in ’12 - The Boston Globe." Boston.com. 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. .

It's A New School Year 2010-2011

Welcome 8th graders of Arrupe! Think about putting in the extra time and effort this year and become a social studies scholar. Lunch meetings are every Day 2. Come on by anytime to check out videos, debate other classmates or even teachers, and just share in the love of history. Feel free to share your thoughts on this blog. See Mr. Kiely, Mr. Gartside, Mr. Ahmed, or Ms. Wilson if you have any questions.

Mrs. Wilson's Magis Assignment: Parents and students leave your thoughts about the 8th grade social studies course under the comments section of this post.

First question: What should be our first topic to learn about? Post your thoughts.