Do Off-Duty Teachers Surrender Their First Amendment Rights?
Natalie Munroe was an English teacher in a northeastern Pennsylvania high school. She was in good standing until district parents came across her blog online. Munroe had some very unflattering things to say about some of her her students. “A disgusting brood of insolent, unappreciative, selfish brats,” was one of the more gracious things she called….Read more
Puerto Rican Statehood? It May Be Getting Closer
Since the devastation of Hurricanes Maria and Irma, Puerto Rico’s quest for statehood seems even more urgent. Several Republicans, as well as Democrats, in Congress support the move. Puerto Rico has copied Tennessee (in 1796) by sending a delegation of “senators and representatives” to Congress to agitate for statehood. Tennessee succeeded. Other states used unorthodox means, such as….Read more
VIDEO: Grading Class Participation Made Easy
Most schools require their teachers to put grades to every student’s “class participation.” But you are dealing with diverse students in challenging classes and curriculum. You strive to bring out the best in them and to initiate their growth. Complicated by it being a different process for every student. You can find ways to encourage them to get involved. The….Read more
Is the Third Amendment Even Needed, Anymore?
Most Americans don’t worry about having to feed and house government soldiers, so it doesn’t seem that the Third Amendment is significant to present-day society. Some observers say that it’s obsolete and no longer needed in the Bill of Rights. It reads: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of….Read more
Chief of Staff: The Abominable “No” Man
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, had many admirable qualities. Despite being a highly educated, wealthy and supremely intelligent man, he was a man of great humility. President Carter took office in 1977 determined to change the formality of the presidency. He told bands not to play “Hail to the Chief.” He wore sweaters on TV to encourage Americans to….Read more
What Happens When the 6th Amendment Is Ignored?
It’s the stuff of cop shows: When someone is arrested the police say, “if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you.” Everyone knows these lines, but did you know the Miranda rights started with the Sixth Amendment? Article III, section 2 of the Constitution says that all trials in America shall be by jury. The Sixth….Read more
4 Ways To Avoid Another Vietnam
After the second chemical attack on his own people by Syria’s Assad, the Trump administration, along with France and England, launched cruise missiles. The stated goal was to cripple Assad’s chemical programs, a valid reason for action. This targeted attack came after one in 2017 by just the United States. Unfortunately it didn’t deter Assad from doing it again.….Read more
What You Need to Know About the 10th Amendment
What powers and freedoms do states have? States’ rights is tricky. The powerful in Washington want national authority to carry out their agenda, while those out of power invoke states’ rights. These positions are then reversed when one party loses office. Generally, America’s political leaders put one principle first: the Vince Lombardi Principle. Do whatever you must so that….Read more
Knock Knock! Who’s There? The 4th Amendment
Check out the case of federal judge Harold Baer, who tossed out 80 pounds of cocaine and heroine found on drug traffickers when he ruled a police search illegal. Often Americans gripe about criminals getting off on such “technicalities.” But are they mere technicalities? Catch criminals or protect privacy? The Fourth Amendment seeks to balance the….Read more
Top 5 Acts of Civil Disobedience in American History
During the national School Walkout Day protests, two schools in the town where I formerly taught took very different approaches. At School A, student leaders met with administrators to design an “administrative-sanctioned plan” for a moment of silence and reading of gun violence statistics. The plan had no “political context,” but would instead “honor the students and staff who….Read more