Gold-Digging Government
Peace and Freedom? aka Cultural Socialism?
SUMMARY:
On August 2, 2012, The LA Times reported that actress and comedian Roseanne Barr is the 2012 nominated presidential candidate for the Peace and Freedom party. Her chosen vice presidential running mate is Cindy Sheehan. Many doubt her validity as candidate because of unpatriotic and controversial presentations on media.
REFLECTION:
Roseanne Barr claims that her political party stands for advocates the American and is against the Republican and Democratic parties who represent a lesser evil. Barr public presentation has such air of confidence as if she may possibly change the election results. Looking at her history and personal character in public, one may realize that the Peace and Freedom party has chosen a poor candidate. Barr can not steal votes let alone win the election.
Title: Roseanne Barr: Peace and Freedom Party presidential candidate
Source: Los Angeles Times- August 02,2012
My third party research reveals that this political party was established on June 23, 1967, as a party against Lyndon B. Johnson and his decisions regarding the Vietnam War. Ever since that day, the Peace and Freedom party has been a large antiwar advocate. This political party is a culturally socialistic political party. The party states that its main goals are socialism, democracy, ecology, feminism and racial equality. Because of this par tie’s platform has strong feministic views, it supports free abortion on demand. Because of its great cultural socialistic emphasis, it supports an open boarder policy for working immigrants and a gay marriage and rights policy. Throughout the cold war, the Peace and Freedom Party has had great concerns for our ecological maintenance. It has become a strong voice against nuclear waist disposal in our environment. For the 2012 presidential election, this party has nominated Roseanne Barr, an actress and comedian, as their presidential candidate. Her running mate is Cindy Sheehan. In 2008 the presidential candidate, Ralph Nader only appeared on ballots in California and Iowa. More about the party can be found on the party website at http://www.peaceandfreedom.org.
Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan
The political cartoon above displays presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan riding on two elephants. This cartoon is a satire of the republican presidential campaign. Both elephants depicted symbolize the republican party. The larger elephant represents a more conservative republican party. Paul Ryan is shown riding on the larger elephant because to many he is considered more conservative than Mitt Romney because of the financial plan he has developed. It subtly ridicules Romney for his lack of decisiveness and republican mindset that Ryan has while Ryan is only running as Vice President. The artist in the picture is not showing much bias in anyway whether it be towards the democratic party or the republican party. He points out an oddity within the republican presidential party.
This political cartoon would most likely fit under Political Parties in section II of our course outline. This cartoon was satiring the Republican Political party yet also describing the candidates. Further research shows why the candidates are depicted the way they are. Please read the following for more information:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/11/politics/romney-ryan/index.html
Jones, Clay. “US News.” Mitt Romney & Paul Ryan. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2012. <http://www.usnews.com/usnews/php/galleries/image.php/917/13/13.jpg>
“Romney’s pick of Ryan as his running mate energizes conservatives, opponents – CNN.com.” CNN.com – Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Aug. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/11/politics/romney-ryan/index.html>.
Response to Colorado Shooting
On July 31, 2012, Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, gun control advocates, proposed a bill to congress requesting for new guidelines for the sales of ammunition via the internet. This bill would inhibit customers from buying an unlimited amount of ammunition online. This proposal was made in response to the Colorado shooting massacre on July 20 at the midnight premier of The Rise of the Dark Knight. The proposed bill mandates that the any purchase of ammunition larger than 1000 rounds must be notified to the consumer’s local police authorities by the seller. In addition, buyers must present a photo ID. upon purchase.
This proposed bill will now give the public a greater safety because of stricter guidelines for the purchase of ammunition. No law enforcement will be aware of any person that possess large amounts of ammunition. The prevention of buying unlimited ammunition limits the chances of another massacre or a terrorist attack although it will not ensure the prevention. The bill will make it harder for any person to attain such a large arsenal and stockade of ammunition such as James Holmes on the dreadful night where approximately 6,000 rounds were fired.
In connection to this course, this action presented to congress would be in direct relation to public policy. This controls how the public will purchase weapons and ammunition. This bill will be made to complement the 2nd amendment, which is the right for any person to bear arms, by placing stricter codes and guidelines which will help with keeping the public safe.
“Democrats propose limits on online ammo sales – CNN.com.” CNN.com – Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Aug. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/30/politics/democrats-ammo-sales/index.html>.
The mass shoo…
The mass shooting at Century Theatre in Aurora, Colorado on July 20th at the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises is the main issue of the cartoon. The shackled man above in the orange jumpsuit is James Holmes, the man responsible for the shooting and massacre on the night of the movie premier. The artist uses extended metaphor and symbolism because the man in the left of the picture, dressed in the colors of the American flag, although not real, is the symbol of the United States government. In his hand he is holding a portion of the Constitution of the United States. He is holding the 2nd amendment which gives American citizens the right to bear arms. It states
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
The artist suggest that the government re-evaluate that amendment and apply more strict codes regarding the purchasing and the possession of fire arms in order to prevent another massacre such as the one on July 20th from happening once more. The amendment speaks of a “Well regulated” militia owning firearms. According to many, James Holmes was mentally unstable.
This cartoon would fit under our section pertaining to the Government and its actions relating to public policy. The governments regulation on the public owning fire arms in this case is suggested to be more structured, orderly and having more requirements. This re-evalutation will affect the public’s rights therefore making it a public policy.
Sheneman, Drew. 2nd Amendment Evaluation. 2012. Tribune Media Services, NA. http://www.usnews.com. Web. 25 July 2012.
Transportation, Student Loan Bill
Obama signs bipartisan transportation, student loan bill- CNN
On July 6th, 2012, President Barrack Obama signed a bill which was passed by both the democratic and republican party in congress. This bill signed plans for the reconstruction of infrastructures within the United States which in doing so will provide work for construction workers. This bill was signed with a goal of not only providing jobs for millions of Americans across the United States but also to help students pay for their college funds. On average, according to Barrack Obama, that without the bill, 7 million college students would be struck with a thousand dollars or more in educational debts.
The transportation and education bill passed by congress and President Obama directly affects me as an American. This is relatable because as a student preparing for college, I not only have to search for a college with a good major that I plan to study in but also one that can be affordable. Now with this bill passed it will make my college decision making experience easier.
This bill passed would fit in the category of public policy because it has to do with a reformation of the american society.
Unit, CNN Political. “Obama signs bipartisan transportation, student loan bill – CNN.com.” CNN.com – Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 July 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/06/politics/obama-signs-transportation-bill/index.html?npt=NP1>.
Anticipation
Finally, an Ap history course I have been longing to look forward to. Don’t get me wrong the other two so far have been fun yet challenging at the same time. But this year’s Ap Gopo course seems really interesting. I guess I came realize that this course would be fascinating during our time studying Ap United States History. In APUSH the only sections I mostly enjoyed learning about were the government and politics throughout the past few centuries.
After reviewing the course outline and description, I can feel non other than excitement and ANTICIPATION. One of the main sections I am looking forward to learning about is the United States Constitution and how it affects our government even to this day through its Check and Balances and separation of powers. Another portion of this course I seem to look forward is the portion on political beliefs and behaviors. This can be most relatable to me because I am a citizen of the United States and like many I have beliefs on certain topics. I want to learn how and why people believe what they believe. This is the most relatable portion because it seems to have to deal with the common man. Two sections of the course I will be least familiar with are probably going to be the parts about how media affects politics and the institution of the united states government as we have not talked about those two much in APUSH. I believe we didn’t…
One section I will definitely be looking forward to is the final portion, Civil Rights. I never liked this topic in APUSH so I am assuming I also won’t like it either when we learn about it in APGOPO, but who knows maybe we’ll be taken to learn it from a different perspective and in the end I will learn to like it.
Hopefully we’ll be able to dive in deeper into our learning materials this summer and I’ll get to start on a long anticipated course of history.
The Grand Finale
Events prior to World War II such as Progresivism, World War I and the great Depression contributed to Americas stand and success for World War II.
Progresivism ended America’s isolationist ideals. With Theodore Roosevelt in office, the epitome of a Progresivist, America began its course of global interactions from being a policing agent to nations in the Western Hemisphere to being a peace making nation to Russia and Japan in the Ruso-Japanese War. It was also during this period that Theodore Roosevelt realized the importance of a great naval force and strengthened it beyond what it was before. America was now a growing military power. With Roosevelts order for the Great White Fleet to tour the world, once Americans docked at Japanese harbors, Japan also saw a need for developing a powerful naval force and secretly did so in years leading up to the World War II.
As World War I broke out, President Wilson initially placed America in a nuetral position in the war. As events such as the sinking of the Lisitania and Zimmerman Note occured, America’s agressive nature reappeared and a declaration of war was made. World War I implored new technologies and new tacticts. War was revolutionized. The battlefield was much deadlier. Experiences and battle tactics used in World War I would later be evalutated and expanded and studied during World War II.
Following World War I was a great period of economical success and boom. After a decade, this optimistic period ended. The stock market had crashed from over speculation, over production, uneven distribution of income, weak farm economy and the excessive use of credit. This period of econimic downfall lasted for a decade. Many conspiritors speculate that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, president througout the great depression, anticipated the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and utilized it as an excuse to declare war, solving the nations economical crisis.
Entering World War II did solve much of American Economic crisis. America’s industry was completely mobilized for the war effort. Factories were creating weapons and vehicles for war. Woman were at the head of the home-front in these factories while the men were away. A main contributing factor to the attack on Pearl Harbor seemed to be from the fact that the during the Progressive Era, after seeing the Great White Fleet, Japan began its expansion and fortification in its naval force. World War II was won due to great battle tactics and the combined minds of the allied leaders. When a second front was opened in the European theater, Germany began its downfall until Berlin was captured and Hitler committed suicide. In the Pacific theatre, the war was won due to two attacks made by the atomic bomb. Following the war, Berlin as well as all of Germany was split amongst the 4 allied nations of the war. Trials for war crimes in both Germany and Japan took place and many war leaders where excited.
America did not go to war because of the actions Hitler took. America did not again want to be entangled in European affairs although we greatly supported it. It was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and who knows, maybe even a desire to solve our countries economical crisis that urged America into the war. I really loved hearing about the conspirators point of view on how America went to war. Will we ever know for reals?
The interview on both the Yalta and Tehran confrence was very useful. It fortified my understandings of what happened in both confrence. It allowed me to understand in depth that both confrence planned for a quick end to the war and actions of what where to happen after the war. We should do more re-enactments of certain events in history.
The multiple choice test and the FRQ for me were not so great for this section. I thought I had a grasp of the information asked but I suppose the Ap exam has its own way of wording things weirdly. The FRQ, hmm well I need to re evaluate why I’ve been stuck with the same grade every time. Im not really fearful of the Apush exam because I know I’ve grasped main ideas from the chapters. Its just that sometimes the test just has ridiculous questions. What I really want to do before the exam starts is know all the people and their importance. My friends in public school somehow have a lot of these people memorized and know what importance they were of in American History. Hopefully I’m looking forward to a better upcoming section. By the way, are the questions on our quizzes released Apush exam question? Cause I do pretty well on those but not so hot on the test ones.
Progression into World War
As the Gilded Age, an age full of deceit, scandal and poor leadership came to an end, America was ushered into a new era known as the Progressive Era. Finally after decades of minimal governmental interaction, leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt finally stepped in. Roosevelt is perhaps the most prominent of the Progressive Era politicians. Not only was he the more active and athletic than previous presidents, but he was also superior in leadership which was characterized by bold and decisive decisions. The progressive era was the beginning of a modern global interaction between nations of the Western and Eastern Hemisphere. All interactions during this period played an important role in the War to come.
The Great War, also known as World War 1 hypothetically should have been a small scale war only between two nations but because of global interactions during the Progressive Era, alliances where built which helped fueled the fire for a global conflict. Initially Wilson opposed the war but as the war progressed and germans began to violate neutral rights at sea, Wilson finally had the last straw and requested congress for a declaration of war upon Germany. When the war ended, Europe was in ruins. Not only did the Europeans now have to worry about reconstruction but also paying of the war debt owed to the United States.
The World War I would have never occurred without the global interactions taken place during the Progressive Era.
The roaring 20’s was a very relaxing period to learn about. I enjoyed learning about all the entertainment, leisure and the post war economy. The atmosphere of learning this chapter seemed very much as I had just described it. Unfortunately learning about the Great Depression was characterized by the word describing the period. It very inspiring to learn about FDR. He inspired me to reform my school government agenda to provide humanitarian events. Though learning about his presidency was a relief, I do think it would take a while to recover from the dreadfulness of learning about all the acronyms of the legislations passed.
I am looking forward to learning about World War II. I love to learn about politics and war. These two are very dynamic and are both comprised of conflicts which make them both unique. Economy and society are not as fun to learn about. Economy goes through cycles of prosperity and panic and people rarely change so it gets boring. I would love to see fish bowling incorporated into our learning methods again. I enjoyed viewing the points of view my classmates have on different subjects, especially when it comes to politics.
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