Humanities

First Amendment Video Project

First Amendment Video


First Amendment in-class essay

Case by Case

High school students are the future of our country without knowledge of the laws and standards that developed this country they will be useless.  Constitutional knowledge is relevant to the success of the next generation. The complexity of the United States Constitution is immense; the Constitution takes years to fully comprehend. Although it may be unreasonable to master the Constitution, knowledge of the amendments is tremendously important. Understanding how to apply these amendments in everyday life is equally important to knowing the amendments. In the constitutional unit there should be a basic guide line to all of the amendments, with an especially heavy emphasis on amendment one. As a significantly important piece of constitutional law, case laws should not be forgotten. Students who know how to exercise these rights have accomplished the task of protecting themselves from the danger of ignorance.

            During the project I had a relevant connection that involved a personal experience that disrupted the life of some one very close to me. This person had an interview with a reporter from the Herald which asked at the end of their conversation if he could quote him. The interviewed party asked to not be quoted. The Durango Herald continued on to publishing statements that were given as well as using a description that for anyone who knows this person would immediately acknowledge that the words published were his. So the question I have is what the legality of specifying who someone is by not using their name? It is very much like saying pass me that fruit that’s yellow and monkeys eat without saying banana. Case laws most likely will contain the answers I look for.

            A case law is the law established by the outcome of former cases. The case laws that are involved in government law were relevant to both my personal experiences and the future of marijuana.  These two reasons alone are enough to make anyone interested in the power of case laws. As an outcome of the case law Miranda v. Arizona, Miranda laws were required for police to say before making an arrest. A case law that is anticipated by many people are laws involving marijuana. Eventually someone will get in trouble with a federal department and the case will end up going to court because of the fact it is legal in Colorado but not legal federally. Case laws historically allow states to keep their laws, for example same sex marriage laws are up to the states, which was determined by a case law.

            The first amendment is the most important amendment. Few would be so hasty as to disagree. Although both statements are true; the catch is simply understanding and applying the Constitution’s many hidden rules and statures. A man without full knowledge of his rights could very easily end up in hand cuffs and facing an incriminating fine. One example is during occupy Durango a person was yelling not so nice things at a police officer, the officer waited and waited until the individual crossed the line and arrested him. This line is the very thing that is most important when teaching youth about their first amendment rights. Understanding what is and isn’t protected is the key. In this particular example the individual used “fighting words” which are defined by words that any reasonable person would respond to in violence. There are several different types of unprotected speech that many Americans are not aware of. Schools have the responsibility of creating educated youth and without consensus America will have different understanding of the nation’s law.

            The United States has had a united Democracy for almost 200 years; not very many other countries can boast this fact. As a citizen of the United States being educated on the commandments that formed this country is essential. Knowing how to command and utilize rights properly is equally important. The first amendment in our country is what gluten is to bread. Without it our country would be vastly different. Educating youth in both case laws and first amendment rights is the future of a smooth and prosperous country.

Starters 

 Our freedom in America is as i consider a suicide pact. As a completely equal country we surrender the ability to make assumptions about intentions based off of race. A perfect example that illustrates my thoughts is 9/11. Since all of the hijackers were muslim doesn't it make sense that we should take precautionary measures? Freedom demands that we don't stereotype Muslims for the terrorist attacks. I would like to see America continue with its suicide pact, Covering all in a blanket of equality without profiling justifies our nations freedom.

The perceived purpose of the bill of rights was to lay down a list of written guidelines or societal norms that each individual of the United States is entitled to. To provide evidence from the preamble of the bill of rights would be to solidify this idea, the statement “and as extending the ground of public confidence in the government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.” I believe the purpose that the bill of rights serve is still a valid and useful part of society. It presents the expected baseline rights for everyone.

9-10

Libel- a statement that is not true that damaged someone's credibility or image.

Slander- The act of speaking untrue accusations that diminish another's image.

Malice- The intention of injuring another group or persons. This could be threatening or expressed through body language.

Publications should be allowed to publish whatever they want without personally attacking someone with falsities. The ability to publish whatever whenever i beleive keeps the United States whole. This may seem to be a contradictory statement because it is. To explain further publications have information, opinions, data all of which is important only to the reader. I believe that publications should be interpreted by the readers, creating bias work allows peoples to express their beliefs and opinions. However when someone’s life or ability to make money is put into danger by others false statements action should be taken. The press is a very useful tool that America has dominated with political arguments, this process should remain in order to continue a functional political system.

9-13

1. Looking back on the seminar from yesterday i feel as though i would have received a b. I feel as though i understood both parts of the arguments quite well i also feel as though i made important clarifying comments.

 2. These comments directed the seminar to a more educated and intellectual conversation. I feel as though i also identified problems in the Patriot act shining light on maybe why it is so controversial.

3. Overall i would say this seminar was relatively weak due to the fact that evidence was not abundant. I feel as though the seminar didn't really leave me feeling any differently.

9-24

Although professional football players are public icons and inspirations to kids and adults alike, they have there own personal right to say what they want via tweet, speach , facebook and this right is given to each and everyone of them as a constitutional right. The main issues that arise when looking at professional athletes “tweets”pose as inappropriate and make teams look unprofessional. Parents especially are uneasy with the vulgar statements and mature content many professional football players post. However many players believe it is the viewers discretion to view the posts. Although many coaches impose penalties for “out of line” comments many coaches believe it is the players rights to say what they want, and therefore express their rights.

10-1-2013

The Tinker standard has been the baseline and in many cases the example of what is protected in our school by our first amendment. However not all speech is protected under this standard. Essentially it comes down to whether the material disputed would materially and substantially disrupt class work. An example of unprotected freedom of speech is the Morse Vs. Frederick case where a student held a banner that said bong hits for Jesus. Tinkers greatest contribution to case law is the statement was how the courts decided what was considered a disruption and what wasn’t. Students now have the ability to support what they believe in at school which before the Tinker case was a right not encouraged.