No need to comment on this, just give your preferences on the form, please.

Tea Party king-maker will run Heritage Foundation (Senator Jim DeMint)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/12/06/jim-demint-resigns-/1750869/

Prediction: What will the constitutional arguments be that win the same gender marriage cases at the SCOTUS? (Bonus: check out the history of the two lawyers advocating for gay marriage).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/07/supreme-court-gay-marriage_n_2218441.html

What is your analysis of where we are? Are we nowhere (Boehner), or are we going to have a deal (Geithner)? Check the latest news.

What is the fiscal cliff? http://bonds.about.com/od/Issues-in-the-News/a/What-Is-The-Fiscal-Cliff.htm Latest news on the fiscal cliff: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-usa-fiscal-marketsbre8b807a-20121209,0,7467642.story http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/02/politics/fiscal-cliff/

If you are interested in taking the survey below, please ask your parents' permission and then tell Mr. Tom Driscoll your opinions.

Here is the link to the Student Survey:
http://tinyurl.com/bm634mp

Analysis: What are the best fiscal and political decisions that could be made on these public policy topics?

What is the fiscal cliff?
http://bonds.about.com/od/Issues-in-the-News/a/What-Is-The-Fiscal-Cliff.htm

Latest news on the fiscal cliff:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/02/politics/fiscal-cliff/

No Post Required This Week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Now that you have watched some academic videos online, what are your thoughts? What parts of the videos do you like? What suggestions do you have to make the videos better? Do you like curating or watching better? Other constructive thoughts?

What questions do you still have about the campaign process? What answers can you give to your #apgopo classmates? What's the hardest thing you "got" about the campaign process?

Here we go ladies and gentlemen! You call the election, and tell us why you picked each state the way you did.

Use www.270towin.com to play around with the states.

Use www.politicalwire.com to see the latest polls (and other information) in the different states.

Or use whatever resources work best for you (e.g. pewresearch.org, squirrels eating bowls of nuts, the Washington Redskins game winner- thanks CNN)  

Predict wisely!

Please analyze and comment on somebody else's comment. The original comment should be from this school year.

Which Senate races are you watching (or which do you recommend we watch)? Who should we know about?

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/what-will-be-the-next-senate-shocker/

http://www.rollcall.com/politics/2012_race_rating_map.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/21/2012-senate-races_n_1997639.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012


REMEMBER: Last presidential debate of 2012 Monday at 8:00 our time.  Chat at www.todaysmeet.com/bretzchat1022


Rest in peace, Senator.  Thank you for your service, and your time and sage advice in 1992.
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-george-mcgovern-20121021,0,4225248.story

Should we abolish, alter, or keep the Electoral College?

Column: End the electoral college (10-8-12)
http://tinyurl.com/9d6qj39

AND...REST IN PEACE SENATOR.  WE WILL MISS YOU.
http://tinyurl.com/9p4jxo4

What are the top three public policy issues you would like the candidates to discuss in the first debate Wednesday?

http://www.debates.org/
Check out the link above to the Commission on Presidential Debates

http://people.howstuffworks.com/debate4.htm
Sometimes making things less controversial is controversial

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E7D91638F93AA3575BC0A9649D8B63&ref=commissiononpresidentialdebates
Young people can have an impact!

Will the 47% comments impact the polls and the outcome of the election, or will it prove to be a minor distraction for a brief period (see Obama guns/religion comments in '08).

Who has political power in the United States? Hint: Explain what the person has done that shows he/she has power. Be specific. Give the person's name.

Campaigns and Elections Project Links and Comments

Based on your knowledge of Campaigns and Elections, current events, and responsible journalism, please share a link about the current presidential campaign that fits into each of the four categories.  Label which link represents which of the four areas, post it as a comment at www.civicsblog.blogspot.com   Labels: (1. Issues  2. Polls  3. Behind the scenes  4. Money)

Disclaimer: Please remember that we have an academic honesty policy that says that you should do your own work.  Please don't copy and paste somebody else's links!

2.         Next, comment on at least one of your four links.  What do you know, what do you believe, what do you think should be done.

3.         Next, comment on at least one other person's link at    www.civicsblog.blogspot.com  Have a great discussion!

What is significant in the news right now?

Please include a topic title, a link, and your comments (what do you know, what do you believe, what do you think should be done).  REMEBER TO ALSO COMMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LINK (What you do: 1. Click on someone else's link, read the article, read their comments, 2. CLICK ON COMMENTS, 3. refer to their article and write what you know, believe, and think should be done (e.g. "Lisa shared a link about Miley Cyrus' tattoo, and I think it is great that she quoted President Roosevelt. I think more people should learn about the presidents and adorn their bodies with executive branch quotations"), 4. click 'publish your comment').

What's significant right now in the news?

Please include a topic title, a link, and your comments (what do you know, what do you believe, what do you think should be done).

What are the top 3 issues that you want each side to talk about in the upcoming presidential election?

One more post! One more post! :)

Where it all began...

Enlarge this document in a new window
Online Publishing from YUDU

See below for some directions for your current project choices.

Something to do this summer????

Without violating any College Board rules, based on what you know or what you heard, what do you think someone should know for next year's exam?

NO BLOGGING TODAY.

Study, Review, Prepare, Sleep, Eat, Breathe. COURAGE !!! Just do it! Impossible is nothing! Live in the moment and enjoy it. YOLO You can do it... THINK. WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH IT. YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU KNOW. YOU'LL BE FINE !!! P.S. #2 pencils, black or blue pen, a watch to keep track, social security number (optional). No cell phones.

Campaigns and Elections process with a focus on the presidential process and vocabulary. Probably a better choice overall.

Campaign Terms (best 10 terms and best 9 minutes of your life). A lot is review, but there may be new stuff for you too.

Campaign money rules and the campaign process.

Monetary vs. Fiscal Policy (In-depth Econ.) p.s. Don't drink.

Federal Bureaucracy Review #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSLF6c7QrEg&feature=plcp

Federal Bureaucracy Review #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEatTg4gZmc&feature=plcp

Federal Bureaucracy Review #3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc5fgKABics&feature=plcp

Federal Bureaucracy Review #4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mxqnaDMWjE&feature=plcp

Judicial Branch Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVLd4vssv70&feature=plcp

Executive Branch Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPBi_rNhh30&feature=plcp&context=C43ee9c4VDvjVQa1PpcFOGUj4iyoFl7GiQtR_E59R47DDFgHu1Irc%3D

Political Parties Review HEY! LOOK AT ME!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXJcmFeIZBY&feature=related

Congress Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-YKvx3vH7c&feature=related

Would you agree to be on the ticket as the vice-presidential nominee?  Answer wisely:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/when-no-means-yes-a-guide-to-veepstakes-denials/

Vetting Veeps (NOT Petting Peeps) - What is your analysis of who Governor Romney's choice will be?

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/veepwatch-part-2-first-do-no-harm-our-vp-contenders/
(Figured out what 'vetting' means? How about SOTU?)

BONUS:
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/are-independent-leaners-closet-partisans-or-true-independents/
(Uses the term 'think tanks' and discusses if there really are 'independent' voters.)


"VOCABULARY, VOCABULARY, VOCABULARY." ~ Julius Caesar

Analysis: Who do you think will win in Wisconsin and what will the impact be on the rest of the race?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/

Monday, April 02
Wisconsin Republican Presidential Primary
PPP (D)
Romney 43, Santorum 36, Paul 11, Gingrich 8
Romney +7

General Election: Romney vs. Obama
USA Today/Gallup
Obama 49, Romney 45
Obama +4

General Election: Santorum vs. Obama
USA Today/Gallup
Obama 51, Santorum 43
Obama +8

Maryland Republican Presidential Primary
PPP (D)
Romney 52, Santorum 27, Gingrich 10, Paul 9
Romney +25

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! UPDATE! UPDATE!

So it turns out I found a missing section of our vocabulary list which means we are WAY behind on our vocabulary quizzes. We will need to take one in the coming week. Since they are scheduled to be taken on Thursdays, you will have to make arrangements to come into school on Thursday. Make sure you click here to find out more information on Thursday's quiz: http://www.allgraphics123.com/ag/01/6488/6488.gif

FYI: Predictions on Congressional election outcomes in November (with a little inside baseball).

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-early-outlook-for-the-2012-congressional-elections-a-forecasting-perspective/rpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-early-outlook-for-the-2012-congressional-elections-a-forecasting-perspective/

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2012-house/

Larry Sabato is a well-respected political scientist and a co-author on the new textbook we'll be using in the fall of 2012.

Analysis: What will you be looking for as you listen to the oral arguments this week?

What a great week coming up: Judicial Branch check on the Congress and president, judicial review, commerce clause, solicitor general, mandate, litigation, adversarial process, standing, precedents... all because the Court used the "Rule of Four" to grant a writ of certiori!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-the-supreme-court-debates-health-care-get-ready-for-some-memorable-quotes/2012/03/21/gIQAeC4KWS_story.html?hpid=z3

What is the most interesting thing you know about electing people to Congress?

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-anti-incumbent-election-myth/

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

With Super Tuesday coming up, give your analysis and opinion of the current nominating PROCESS to be the party's nominee.

Discuss any or all of the following: front loading, winner take all vs. proportional distribution of delegates, primaries, caucuses, the length of the process, the money that is raised and spent, stump speeches, running to the right (for the GOP) and to the left (for the Dems.) in the primary process and back to the middle for the general, placing Iowa and New Hampshire first.

http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/politics/2012/03/04/nr-wa-travis-caucuses.cnn.html

Which of the 9 political funding options do you find the most interesting, surprising, or new to you?

From $25 to $10,000,000: A Guide to Political Donations
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/17/us/politics/a-guide-to-political-donations.html

Analysis: Who can claim the biggest win on the payroll tax cut extension?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/politics/congress-acts-to-extend-payroll-tax-cut-and-aid-to-jobless.html?hpw

Opinion: Should same-gender marriage be decided by referendum, legislative action, or the courts?

By Ricardo Lopez
February 17, 2012, 4:21 p.m.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie followed through on his word Friday, vetoing a gay marriage bill passed by the state’s legislature a day earlier.

“I am adhering to what I've said since this bill was first introduced - an issue of this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment, should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide," Christie said in a statement.

Christie is urging the legislature to put the measure on the ballot in the form of a referendum.

“This is the only path to amend our state Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage in our state,” he said.

Democrats were not surprised by the veto. Christie, a Republican, announced his intentions last month at a town hall meeting.


Yet Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Democrat, denounced the governor's action and vowed to work to override it.“Governor Christie's veto is a shameful act hidden behind the guise of a public referendum. Today, he firmly planted his feet on the wrong side of history,” he said in a statement.


“He had a chance to do the right thing, and failed miserably.”


New Jersey lawmakers now have until Jan. 2014 to muster a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber to override the governor’s veto.Gay marriage supporters need three more votes in the Senate to override the veto. Senate Democrats passed the bill 24-16. The Assembly, which passed the bill 42-33, needs needs 14 more votes for a veto override.


On Thursday, the Democratic-controlled Assembly voted 42-33 in favor of gay marriage.


That vote came after emotional speeches from both sides on Thursday. Seven states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-christie-veto-20120217,0,1375226.story

Opinion: What should the Administration be doing right now with regard to the environment (if anything)?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-weighs-political-cost-of-environmental-rules/2012/02/07/gIQAvJzx8Q_story.html?hpid=z1

By the way, our Wednesday after-school practice session has to be moved to Thursday this week because my Uncle Roy Pirrung will be speaking to the track team Wednesday. If you want to hear him speak too, feel free to show up. It's interesting and inspiring. His bio. is below:
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/MountainUltraTrail/Pirrung_Roy.asp

Less than 100 days. How long will you be able to stay for Wednesday's Exam Practice Session?

What else are you doing to get ready for the APGOPO Exam?

(oh, and Romney won Nevada).

Do you want to see Mr. Romney or Mr. Gingrich win by a lot in Florida? Do you want the contest to go on a lot longer?

Where will a lot of Latino voters go? Will a lot of votes go to the candidate who FL thinks will win in the general election. As the late Tim Russert said a lot of years ago (2000): Florida, Florida, Florida.

What do you want to hear the president talk about in the State of the Union Address Tuesday?

Article II, Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2044176,00.html

Predictions for South Carolina? (Cite the basis for your prediction?)

IOWA: What is your analysis and/or opinion of the Iowa caucus results?