Filibuster, Rand Paul, CIA Director and Drones?

The article linked here is information about the filibuster we discussed in class today. The Senate is allowed to filibuster endlessly unless 60 Senators agree to stop the filibuster. A Republican spoke for about 13 hours Thursday (the 9th longest filibuster in our history). No vote can take place in the Senate as long as debate is continuing. As long as someone is talking, a vote can be delayed. The filibuster is a tactic usually reserved for the minority party (Republicans today) to prevent the majority (Democrats today) from passing something. In today's example, one of Pres. Obama's appointees was scheduled to be voted on by the Senate to see if that nominee should be confirmed by the Senate. An example of checks and balances that we are currently discussing.

Feel free to read and comment or just enjoy,
Mr. Thompson

More help for first test

US GOVERNMENT TEST 1 (CH. 1+2) REVIEW

40 POINTS

CH. 1              10 questions

What is government?

      Purposes of government?

4 essential features of a state?

Types of Government                        

      Autocracy                                    

      Oligarchy                                     

      Democracy                                   

      Monarchy                                           

      Totalitarian (dictatorship)                  

      Communism                                       

      Republic

Characteristics of Democracy                  

Characteristics of the 3 economic systems

      communism

      socialism

      capitalism

CH 2             20 questions

      Framers

      Federalists

      Anti-Federalists

      Bill of Rights

      Electoral College

Colonial Experience  1607-July 4, 1776

      Timeline of events leading up to and causing the American Revolution.

     

Declaration of Independence – parts, author, significance

Articles of Confederation-created our first national government

      What did the government look like?

      Powers given and denied to nat’l gov’t.

Constitutional Convention- writing of the US Constitution to replace the Articles

      Compromises- Connecticut

                              3/5’s

                              Commerce and Slave Trade

                              Choosing an executive

Multiple Choice

1 essay question Bold highlights are possible choices

Constitutional Convention

Below find the last bit of content we will be working with before our 1st test next week.

Using Section 4 of Chapter 2, you are responsible for the following information.

1.       Know the facts of the Constitutional Convention

·         Who was there?

·         Where was the meeting held?

·         When did this meeting happen?

·         Why was the meeting called?

·         What was the result of the meeting?

2.       Know the key details of the following plans for our national gov’t.

·         Virginia Plan

·         New Jersey Plan

3.       Know the major content of the compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention? (What was disagreement about, who was disagreeing ie. Sides, and what was the compromise or solution)

·         Connecticut Compromise

·         3/5’s Compromise

·         Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

·         Election of the President

4.       Be familiar with the following terms

a. Federalists       b. Anti-Federalists              c. Ratification     d. Federalist Papers

Mr. Thompson

Unit 1 Test

Test = 30 multiple choice + a 10 point essay. Essay you will have choices - you will pick 1.

Multiple Choice
Review your Ch 1 information (10 questions)
Colonial History (4 questions)
Declaration of Independence (4 questions)
Articles of Confederation (5 questions)
Constitutional Convention (7 questions)

Essay choices will come from the last 4 parts listed above.

Prep well,
Mr. Thompson

ASSIGNMENT Personal Declaration

Each of you will be picking a subject who then will be composing a Declaration of Independence to whomever it might be applicable to. For example you could be writing this as a baby bird writing to your big bird parents about why you should be able to leave the nest. (Now you can't use this as your topic though). The subject can be you personally but doesn't have to be. BE CREATIVE!

Your “declaration” should include the following:

An introduction- this paragraph should follow the example that Thomas Jefferson used in his introductory paragraphs but in your own words.

You should provide 3 good reasons why you should be given this independence. You must be convincing, so pick three compelling reasons to support your claim.

Your “declaration” should have a conclusion at the end to wrap it up.

(Much like Jefferson does with his declaration)

The assignment is worth 30 points.

The assignment will be typed and single spaced (double space between paragraphs)

Final copy emailed to me by Midnight Sunday March, 10th

The final hard copy will be handed in Monday March, 11th (in class)

YOU MUST FOLLOW JEFFERSON’S FORMAT HOWEVER!!!!!

I. Introduction (1 paragraph)

A. “inalienable rights”

B. “truths”

C. “call to action”

II. Body (3 paragraphs)

A. Reason 1 “Achievement”

a.    Support-make the connection between achievement and your independence.

B. Reason 2

a.    Support

C. Reason 3

a.    Support

III. Conclusion (1 paragraph)

A. “declaration of intent”

Have fun and be creative,

Mr. Thompson

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

This would make a great essay question for 1st test!

What were the Articles of Confederation?

What did the US gov’t. look like under this plan?

Strengths of the Articles? (What powers were granted to the gov’t)

Weaknesses of the Articles? (What powers were denied the gov’t.)

Why did the plan fail?

What was Shay’s Rebellion and why was it significant?

5th Period Declaration of Independence

If you still have thoughts from the graded discussion that you didn't get a chance to respond with,  you may add them as comments. If you were absent and excused, you can get credit for posting your comments here. Do a little bit of research on something you are curious about the Declaration or Jefferson. Write a paragraph explaining what your curiosity was and what you found out. Please write it well and be sure to proof read it before posting it. Make sure your content is unique from your classmates...post early to insure this. I will accept comments until 3:03 on Friday, Feb. 22nd.


Mr. Thompson