Chapter 7

1. Does objectivity still exist in the media's coverage of politics? I am sure some elements of the media still report from an objective standpoint. Our text points out that most people think there is a liberal tilt to media reporting. I also think  there is some bias in the media and in the polls that they publish.

 Of the major news outlets (CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, NPR, NBC, etc.), which are the most objective and which seem to have the most bias? i would have to say that Foxnews is definitely the most bias. They are absolutely conservative. My parents are Republicans and that is all they will watch. They think if you heard it on Fox it is the gospel. Some people think NPR and Cnn are the most objective but I am not sure which is better. NBC is the parent company of   MSNBC  and if you listen in the daytime they are more objective than if you listen at nightwhen it is MSNBC. I think CNN leans toward the liberal side more than some of the others.

2. How does talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, etc.) affect your view of politics?
Rush Limbaugh definitely does not affect my viewpoint on politics at all . As for liberal Keith Olberann he really does not influence me either way.

Why? Rush Limiaugh  is a conservative Republican and I think he gives that party a bad name by being the most obnoxius human I have ever heard.

3. Is media objectivity important?  I think it is important for the media to be objective.
Why or why not? The public looks to thee media to give us the real unbiased edition of news. I guess the best thing we can do is watch a little bit of all of them and try to figure out the truth on our own.

Posted on Robert Cook, Jessie Griffith, & David Smith

Chapter 2

The change from the articles of Confederation to the Constitution made our govenment much stronger. We were dealing with a very weak, undefined way of governing the people. The Constitution created  the three branches of government along with separation of power and the system of checks and balances. Without the Constitution we would not have the freedoms that we are now able to enjoy.
 Within the Constitution we were given the Bill of Rights and without this we would not have freedom of speech, religion, or the press. We also would not have a fair Judicial system in that it created our right to a jury, a fair trial, due process and many other things.
The death penalty is a very controversial subject and I had always been very opposed to it. I felt  life in prison would be much harder on a criminal than just dying. However, after the publicity of the Christian, Newsom murders I have changed my way of thinking. I feel like if anyone deserved the death penalty, the animals that committed those murders do. I now think capital punishment can be ccalled for in certain instances.

Chapter 5


1.  The issue of race - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of racial discrimination? Why or how so?
I do not think our government does too much to reduce racial discrimination. I find it hard to believe that as early as fifty years ago, black people had so little freedom. If the government had not stepped up, things would never have changed. I am 52 years old and I remember the first black student at my middle school. They started bussing students from across town and I remember the anger of the people of that time. That was in the early seventies.  Now, people would find that unbelievable. Without some of the landmark decisions by the courts we would not be where we are today. They deserve equality just as much as anyone else does.

2. The issue of gender - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of gender discrimination? Why or how so?
I personally think the government should do more to promote equality for women. If we did not have groups such as the National Organization for Women  we would not have come as far as we have in ending discrimination. Without them we would not have had a proposed Equal Rights Amendment or the Equal Pay Act. As I have learned from the text women still do not have equal pay. The government needs to do more, not less.

3. The issue of sexual orientation - does the government do too little or too much to reduce the instances of sexual orientation? Why or how so?
I am unsure how I feel about this issue. My christian beliefs tell me it is wrong to be homosexual. Yet I think all people should have choices, so maybe things are leading in the right direction. .At least the government is recognizing that it exists and slowly working toward a solution. They certainly are not going to stop it.

 

Chapter 6



1. Polls: http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/pollingcenter/

Is American news media too dependent upon polls?
 I think they are way too dependent on the polls. By reading the text I understand there can be many errors in them but the media plays them up as though they are fact.

 Is it appropriate for news agencies to create polls and then report on them?
No, i really do not find it appropriate.

Why or why not? 
I think polls can be very bias depending on who is doing the polling. I think
they report what is in their best interest.

2. How important is political party identification to you (e.g. as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc.)?
 It has never been very important to me as an individual. I have always said I was more or less democrat but I have always voted for whoever I thought would do the best job. I have always thought of myself as a fairly liberal person. Now I don't know how I feel about either party. I do not think Obama has done a very good job, but I disagree with so much of what Romney has been saying. I guess we just have to vote for what we think is the lesser of two evils.

Was it more or less important to your parents & grandparents?
Party affiliation is very important to my parents. They are strickly Republican and would never vote any other way. My grandparents basically felt the same way.  I come from a very strong Republican family.

Does it seem more or less important to your friends? I think that this election is probably more important to my friends than those in the past.

Why or why not?
I think everyone finds this election of great interest due to the economy. Everybody knows someone who is out of work right now, or has been affected in a negative way.

3. Do you feel that you opinion of politics is more influenced by economic issues or by social issues? Why?
I think in this election it is all about economic issues. America appears to be in trouble and the economy just does not seem to be getting any better. The price of everything just keeps going up.


I posted on Sarah Bates, Donna Binford & Lisa Bryson this week

 

Chapter 4

1. Freedom of speech: How important is it? Does the freedom go "too far"? What areas of speech should not be protected?

Freedom of speech is a very important part of our first amendment.We came to America to escape tyrrany from England.  If we could not speak freely, we could not voice our opinions. One of the great freedoms of being an American is the ability to speak, whether it be about our government or about our religion.  I do feel that it goes too far in relation to the press and media. They can crucify you without proof . There have been many incidences where people have been ruined, when they were actually innocent of the accusations that were printed about them. However, there should be certain limitations to protect us. If we did not have limitations their would be anarchy.

2. Freedom of religion: Is separation of church and state necessary? Why or why not?

Freedom of religion is very important to me. There are many countries that cannot worship as they see fit, nor can they voice opinions without punishment. I cannot imagine my government telling me I can't believe in God, or whoever I chose to worship. I do think it has been taken too far by certain groups who use it to their own advantage. Our country was based on religious freedom, but they take "separation of church and state" and use it for their own agendas.

3. Criminal procedure: Are defendant's rights crucial to our system of government? Why or why not?
Many argue that defendants have too many rights. Do you agree? Why or why not?

I do not feel that they have too many rights. If not for the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th amendments, we would not have the guarantee of due process or a fair trial.

Chapter 3


1. Is a strong national government necessary or should the state governments have an equal share of power? Why?

The constitution gave us a framework for a stronger system of governing the people. I think it makes the country move more smoothly by regulating the power between both state and national. I do feel the national government should be the stronger of the two.
 There are certain things state government should be responsible for and certain things national government should be in control of.

2. National power increased during the Great Depression but then power began to shift back to the states (somewhat) during the Reagan administration? Why did that happen and is that shift appropriate?

After the great depressions Congress has the power to accept any taxing or spending plan they thought supported general welfare. When Reagan was elected he vowed to cut spending and did. He cut back on catagorical grants and replaced them with block grants with fewer restrcitions on how to spend them. He also did away with revenue sharing. Over a period of time spending had become so out of control with very few limits that something had to be done to reign it in.

3. Education stirs much discussion relating to the issue of federalism. Should the national government regulate education or is it a matter best left to state and local governments? Why?

I do feel that giving national government the say over education has improved the system. They have put in the Student Aid & Fiscal Resposibility Act and I would rather deal with the government than with a bank. They have also expanded spending for pell grants and have added more funding for our community colleges

Hi, my name is Pam Smith, soon to be Stewart. I was recently married, but I have not legally changed my name as of yet. I am in my second year at Roane State Community College majoring in Paralegal Studies. I spent two years as a paralegal for a Kingston attorney years ago but, I never earned my degree. I spent the next ten years as a Roane County Juvenile Court Clerk. I lost my position in 2010 due to the election. I am back in school earning my degree and I hope to specialize in the medical field and someday work in the legal department of a hospital.