The abolishment of capital punishment in Illinois was justified. Many of the cases seemed flawed and in many of the cases that we have heard of there seems to be forced confessions due to threats made by the police. One of the lawyers that were interviewed in the video Deadline said that when there is a case that involves extreme violence or the public feels threatened, the police are under the pressure to find a suspect or to make an arrest. He went on to say that police can resort to threats and violence to force a confession from an innocent person in order to make an arrest. If police force confessions from innocent people, then those innocent people could be potentially placed on death row and given the death penalty. Journalism students discovered the innocence of Anthony Porter. The government and justice system did not investigate the case thoroughly and Anthony Porter almost paid with his life. In his speech Governor Ryan stated, “How many more cases of wrongful conviction have to occur before we can all agree that the system is broken?” This quote really shows Governor Ryan’s position on the death penalty in Illinois. Governor Ryan believes that there are plenty more innocent people sitting on death row. Governor Ryan believes that the death penalty is an effective form of punishment. But he strongly believes that the death penalty system is flawed, and there need to be major revisions made to the death penalty process before it can be reinstated in Illinois. I agree with Governor Ryan, the death penalty is an effective and just punishment in certain cases, but the death penalty process in Illinois has substantial flaws. Flaws that must be corrected before it can be reinstated in Illinois. Thanks to progressions in technology and DNA evidence, standards to convict a defendant are much higher, rather than simply using circumstantial evidence. For a defendant to be considered for the death penalty there should be overwhelming evidence or a confession to ensure the defendant’s guilt. To avoid discrimination in a death penalty case a jury of multiple ethnicities that is proportionally equal in numbers should be used to avoid racial discrimination. The abolishment of capital punishment in Illinois is just because there are major flaws in the system, which must be corrected before it can be reinstated.
Death Penalty #2, Deadline Questions
• More than 80% of the people who have been executed, have been executed for the murder of white victims. How do you account for this? What effect might this have on perceptions of the justice system among people of color?
First we must know how many defendants were white or of color in these cases that involved white victims. White people are also a majority in this nation, so it can reasonably be inferred that since there are more white citizens, it is more likely that a murder victim is white. However, racism will always exist within human nature and society, so there is no true unbiased court ruling that involves color. Even if we consider ourselves to be racially tolerant of all people, we are subconsciously affected by the stereotypes, and racial slurs that are constantly used in society. So when a jury is deciding their verdict in a death penalty case they could subconsciously be effected my the stereotypes that are portrayed by society, which could result in more convictions and executions of people of color, due to fear that is subconsciously caused by stereotypes.
• The film frequently references the 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision that the death penalty was in violation of the 8th Amendment of the Constitution. The 8thAmendment states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” How does this constitutional issue play a role in your opinions for or against the death penalty?
I believe that the death penalty is classified as cruel and unusual punishment. Many of the forms of execution seemed to be very painful and demeaning for the inmate the was being executed. Especially when there is a doubt that the defendant is guilty, the death penalty should not be used. The family of the victim gains nothing from the death of the convict, except closure but life in prison can provide very similar closure. I believe that only in the most hideous of crimes (such as John Wayne Gassey) should the death penalty be given.
• Deadline depicts two inmates who were wrongfully sentenced and later exonerated (David Keaton and Gary Gauger), and other inmates whose guilt was not in question. Is there one position on the death penalty that you think is satisfactory in all cases? Do you think it is possible for a state to construct a foolproof capital punishment system where there is no risk of executing an innocent person? Is some margin of possible error acceptable?
I believe that the death penalty should not be issued in cases of a single murder. Society is always at risk of a random person committing murder, but when a single person continuously murders people, society is in danger. The sense of security that society has is threatened. When serial killers are on trial and society as a whole is in danger because of a single person who constantly threatens a specific part of society, the death penalty should be given. I don't think it will ever be possible for a fool proof capital punishment system to be constructed. There is always going to be racial bias, even if we think we are not being racially biased. Also Deadline mentioned multiple cases where police tortured confessions out of innocent suspects. The torture of suspects is cruel and unusual punishment, and forcing a confession out of an innocent suspect is against what the justice system stands for.
First we must know how many defendants were white or of color in these cases that involved white victims. White people are also a majority in this nation, so it can reasonably be inferred that since there are more white citizens, it is more likely that a murder victim is white. However, racism will always exist within human nature and society, so there is no true unbiased court ruling that involves color. Even if we consider ourselves to be racially tolerant of all people, we are subconsciously affected by the stereotypes, and racial slurs that are constantly used in society. So when a jury is deciding their verdict in a death penalty case they could subconsciously be effected my the stereotypes that are portrayed by society, which could result in more convictions and executions of people of color, due to fear that is subconsciously caused by stereotypes.
• The film frequently references the 1972 Furman v. Georgia decision that the death penalty was in violation of the 8th Amendment of the Constitution. The 8thAmendment states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” How does this constitutional issue play a role in your opinions for or against the death penalty?
I believe that the death penalty is classified as cruel and unusual punishment. Many of the forms of execution seemed to be very painful and demeaning for the inmate the was being executed. Especially when there is a doubt that the defendant is guilty, the death penalty should not be used. The family of the victim gains nothing from the death of the convict, except closure but life in prison can provide very similar closure. I believe that only in the most hideous of crimes (such as John Wayne Gassey) should the death penalty be given.
• Deadline depicts two inmates who were wrongfully sentenced and later exonerated (David Keaton and Gary Gauger), and other inmates whose guilt was not in question. Is there one position on the death penalty that you think is satisfactory in all cases? Do you think it is possible for a state to construct a foolproof capital punishment system where there is no risk of executing an innocent person? Is some margin of possible error acceptable?
I believe that the death penalty should not be issued in cases of a single murder. Society is always at risk of a random person committing murder, but when a single person continuously murders people, society is in danger. The sense of security that society has is threatened. When serial killers are on trial and society as a whole is in danger because of a single person who constantly threatens a specific part of society, the death penalty should be given. I don't think it will ever be possible for a fool proof capital punishment system to be constructed. There is always going to be racial bias, even if we think we are not being racially biased. Also Deadline mentioned multiple cases where police tortured confessions out of innocent suspects. The torture of suspects is cruel and unusual punishment, and forcing a confession out of an innocent suspect is against what the justice system stands for.
Death Penalty Additional Background Info
Stages in a capital case like separate trails for sentencing, and determination of guilt protect the accused rights. Also different methods such as aggravating and mitigating factors help the jury make a reasonable sentence if the defendant is found guilty. I don't believe that these methods are sufficient because we have heard of many cases where defendants are truly innocent but a false confession was forced out of the by the police. The only humane mehtod of execution is lethal injection since the convict is asleep and will most likely feel no pain. The other methods seem very painful and demeaning to the convict. Illinois has very few death row inmates, but it has executed nearly all of them, while other states like Texas have executed hundreds of inmates, and has many death row inmates as well. It seems that southern and western states are more likely to punish inmates with the death penalty. The Illinois death penalty statute did not seem strict enough and I feel like many innocent people could be wrongly convicted under these statutes, even though the chart said illinois had very few death row inmates and executions, I don't believe that the statute is strict enough. It was very shocking to see how many death penalty cases had racial discrimination against the victim or defendant. Overall i think should be outlawed in America due to painful forms of execution, and the unfair, and loose statutes set forth by the law.
Outside Reading #1, A History of the World Since 9/11
For my outside reading I decided to read the book A History of the World Since 9/11 written by Dominic Streatfeild. This book explores the aftershock of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. It explains how the U.S. reacted to the attacks, and how the U.S.'s reaction and the reaction of the rest of the world shaped the war on terror. In the book description I found a quote that really impacted me, and was the deciding factor when I chose to read this book. "A History of the World Since 9/11 shows us we're no closer to succeeding in the War on Terror than we were on September 12, 2001" (A History of the World Since 9/11, Description).
After reading the Introduction of the book, the author writes about his experience in Baghdad when he traveled there in interview members of the military. He also explains what life in Baghdad is like, and how the City seems demolished, and it is constantly patrolled by U.S. military helicopters. He questions the impact of 9/11 on history. He wonders how children will react to 9/11 one hundred years from now. He asks "In a hundred years, when school children discover what happened at the start of the twenty-first century, what will they think? Will they see the photographs of the collapsing towers, turn the page and forget them? Or will they learn that history stopped, then restarted in some new, fundamentally different direction? Will 9/11 be a chapter or a footnote?" (Page 4). These questions were very provocative to me, and I believe that 9/11 will be a new chapter in history. 9/11 sparked a new way of thinking in America; Americans became much more paranoid, and cautious. America assumed the role of the world police, but not only was the United States trying to topple tyrants and destroy terrorism, but these goals were fueled by vengeance. But the attacks had a significant effect on American society, which would never be the same again. America felt safe and secure after the Cold War had ended, and democracy had prevailed, but the unexpected 9/11 attacks showed society how vulnerable the nation was, which sent Americans into a state of confusion and paranoia. Society had stopped directly after the attacks.
Streatfeild briefly compared the 9/11 attacks to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States reaction in both attacks was fueled by vengeance but I believe that the effects on American society were completely opposite. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor Americans United as a nation to defend its values, every American did their part whether it was conserving food, fuel, or other resources, collecting scrap metal, or fighting in the Armed forces. The nation united to destroy tyranny in foreign lands, and to spread the ideals of democracy, and there was a common belief that America would win the war.
After the 9/11 attacks on the United States Americans felt scared and vulnerable. The nation did not unite to promote and strengthen the war effort. Americans were confused and didn't know how to avenge the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks. The nation could not find a common goal to unite themselves under, and there was a lack of inspiration to fight the war due to confusion, and there was not a certain nation that the United States could target, it is a group of extremist people spread across the world that want to destroy western ideals.
The nation is still in a paranoid state and society is forever changed after the 9/11 attacks. 9/11 is a new chapter in American history because it changed society and America’s role in the world forever.
Drug Testing and Student Rights
In both the Acton and Earls case the courts determined that testing student athletes for drugs is not unconstitutional because it does not violate a student’s right to privacy. The manner in which these drug tests are administered is very similar to a student using a public restroom. These cases say that students parts of their 4th amendment rights when they enter the school, because these rights might interfere with the schools mission to protect, and educate students. By administering drug tests, the school is attempting to protect its students from a dangerous drug culture that can lead to overdoses. In the Acton case the court states "students within the school environment have a lesser expectation of privacy than members of the population generally" (Vernonia School District v. Acton). In the Earls case the court states "Given the minimally intrusive nature of the sample collection and the limited uses to which the test results are put, we conclude that the invasion of the students' privacy is not significant" (Petitioners v. Lindsay Earls) It also states “in order to override the usual protections of the Fourth Amendment... the safety interest furthered by drug testing is undoubtedly substantial for all children, athletes and non-athletes alike. We know all too well that drug use carries a variety of health risks for children, including death from overdose" (Petitioners v. Lindsay Earls). The court believes that the students shed certain rights when entering the school in order to preserve the safety of all students. I agree with these court rulings because the manner in which the drug tests are conducted, do not violate the students privacy, and the school is still able enforce drug policies without violating the fourth amendment rights that students still have while they are in school, even though those rights are restricted.
I feel in some schools such as the schools where drug dogs searched the school, and the young girl was strip searched, the privacy of the students is violated. Savannah had no drugs on her, and there was no firm proof that suggested she did. The assistant principal unreasonably accused Savannah of possessing drugs, and he searched her because he didn't trust her. These articles suggest that students shed certain rights when they enter school, but they still must maintain their own basic rights to create a balanced and nurturing environment within the school. I believe our rights are balanced fairly in the school. The policies that are set in our student handbook are reasonable and are mostly meant to maintain a safe and nurturing environment within the school.
Movie Critique
I recently watched all three Toy Story movies again. I never realized how well Disney and Pixar use adult humor in its movies, but they still make their movies interesting for children. I have always enjoyed the Toy Story movies, and it was a significant part of my child hood. I had toys that were characters from the movie, and I was obsessed with the movies. After watching it this weekend, some of those feelings were reignited. I enjoyed the movies and remembered parts that didn't seem to make sense as a child, but now I found very funny. The Toy Story movies were able to capture the imagination of all people, no matter how old or young they are.
I realized that my generation grew up with Andy who is the main character of the movies. In the third movie Andy sets off for college and must leave his toys and the memories behind, and he gives his toys to a new child to enjoy them just as much as he enjoyed his toys. This part of the movie was very emotional for me because I never realized until then that I will be leaving my childhood behind me in several months, and I will move on into an adult life in college.
Disney and Pixar are able to capture the emotions and imaginations of all kinds of audiences through their very resourceful and clever movie writing and creating abilities.
Tips for a freshman in high school, from a senior
As a senior in high school I am about to finish school, and move on to college. I have made plenty of mistakes that I wish I didn't, but I was able to learn from my mistakes, and pass this knowledge to my younger sister in the hope that she has a more successful experience in high school. Here are five tips for success in high school.
1. Always be organized
I was always a very unorganized student. I would shove papers into my backpack and have trouble finding them later on when I needed to study or complete an assignment. Utilize your assignment notebook or calendar as much as possible. By using your calendar you will be able to plan your week complete assignments on time. By doing this you won't forget to do assignments and you won't be rushed to complete them during a free period or homeroom, and you won't need to stay up until three o'clock in the morning completing a project. You will notice higher quality work when you are organized and it will be reflected through your grades.
2. Always be prompt when completing and turning in assignments
Late work will always have a negative effect on your grades. Homework is a small but vital part to your grades. Homework completion can be the difference between an A and a B. By being organized it will be easier to complete your assignments. By finishing assignments quickly you will be able to enjoy your free time without stressing about finishing work.
3. Challenge yourself; the experience will be much more rewarding
Don't be afraid to academically and athletically challenge yourself. Overcoming a challenge is very rewarding and motivating, and it will help you overcome challenges that you will face later on in life. By setting goals for yourself it will be easier to overcome challenges. To challenge yourself, enroll in an honors or AP class, or try a new sport. Make sure these goals and challenges are reasonable.
4. Get involved with sports and clubs
Colleges like to lots of involvement in extracurricular activities. By getting involved you can make new friends and perhaps discover a love for a hobby, sport, or club. Your physical, mental, and emotional health will benefit from being an active student, as well as your future.
5. Make the most of the time that you have in high school
One mistake that I did not make during high school was finding a balance between academics, athletics, and a social life. I was still able to enjoy high school without completely dominating my life with a single thing. I was able to be successful student and athlete, and I still had time to hang out with friends and have fun.
***BONUS TIP***
BE YOURSELF
Don't try to be someone you are not. People do not like someone who isn't going to be themself; you will always find the right group of people to be friends with. Don't be afraid to try new things, but don't put on a mask during school. By being yourself people will like you more and you will be a happier person. Don't be obsessed with your image, you will find the right people to be around.
"Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter" - Dr. Seuss
Speech Codes on Campus
The behavior should be banned on college campuses. These pictures, events and ideas are representing violent, and threatening pictures directed at a specific group of people. Even if the students involved did not mean to send a violent or threatening message, that does not excuse their actions. Schools should restrict certain forms of speech, or conduct that can reasonably be inferred as threatening or violent towards a specific group of people. How ever these restrictions should not restrict an idea that spreads a political or social opinion. For instance, if a student began yelling "kill all the jews" in a court yard, that student should be punished because he is making threats towards a certain group of people. If that same student was yelling "the jewish faith is wrong, believe in christianity" then he cannot be punished because they are expressing a certain idea that is not threatening or violent.
Colorado State was given a speech code rating of a yellow light. The student hand book clearly states its policy on speech and student conduct.
"Bigotry has no place within our community, nor does the denigration of other
human beings on the basis of age, physical handicap, national origin, sexual
orientation, race, gender, or religious affiliation. We do not tolerate verbal or
written abuse, threats, intimidation, violence, or other forms of harassment
against any member of our community. Likewise, we do not accept ignorance,
anger, alcohol, or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such
behavior. All of us who work and live in the residence hall community must be committed
to these principles, which are an integral part of our purpose, values, and daily activities."
- Residence Hall Handbook: Residence Life Commitment to Diversity 10-11
The rules and standards for students that are set in this handbook are reasonble. It prohibits threatening, and violent speech, or speech that is seen as degrading or intolerant of all people. It also prohibits conduct that is dangerous to the student, or other students around them. I would feel comfortable going to a school with a speech code like Colorado State. This speech code still allows students to express political and social opinions, but students can be punished if their speech or conduct is a threat to themselves or the students around them. Reading about this speech code I liked Colorado State more. I would feel safe and nutured on a campus like Colorado State. I would still be able to express my opinions as long as it was not threatening. A speech code like this does not violate any laws, it is protecting students, and maintaining a safe learning enviroment.
Colorado State would disagree with the conduct of the students that had pout black face and white hoods on. That conduct is threatening, and violent, which is directed at african americans. Colorado State would punish these students for their behavior and their violation of the speech codes.
Colorado State was given a speech code rating of a yellow light. The student hand book clearly states its policy on speech and student conduct.
"Bigotry has no place within our community, nor does the denigration of other
human beings on the basis of age, physical handicap, national origin, sexual
orientation, race, gender, or religious affiliation. We do not tolerate verbal or
written abuse, threats, intimidation, violence, or other forms of harassment
against any member of our community. Likewise, we do not accept ignorance,
anger, alcohol, or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such
behavior. All of us who work and live in the residence hall community must be committed
to these principles, which are an integral part of our purpose, values, and daily activities."
- Residence Hall Handbook: Residence Life Commitment to Diversity 10-11
The rules and standards for students that are set in this handbook are reasonble. It prohibits threatening, and violent speech, or speech that is seen as degrading or intolerant of all people. It also prohibits conduct that is dangerous to the student, or other students around them. I would feel comfortable going to a school with a speech code like Colorado State. This speech code still allows students to express political and social opinions, but students can be punished if their speech or conduct is a threat to themselves or the students around them. Reading about this speech code I liked Colorado State more. I would feel safe and nutured on a campus like Colorado State. I would still be able to express my opinions as long as it was not threatening. A speech code like this does not violate any laws, it is protecting students, and maintaining a safe learning enviroment.
Colorado State would disagree with the conduct of the students that had pout black face and white hoods on. That conduct is threatening, and violent, which is directed at african americans. Colorado State would punish these students for their behavior and their violation of the speech codes.
9/11, how it has affected the nation and the world ten years later
I chose to watch the CNN video. The nation is still recovering from the wounds that it suffered during 9/11. The citizens that were in the crowd, were crying, or holding signs that were recognizing loved ones that they had lost in the 9/11 tradegy. People of all nationality's, races, and cultures were at the ceremony, and they too were paying tribute to loved ones that they had lost during 9/11. This tradegy affected the entire world because these atacks were not only an attack on America, but an attack on western civilization, and those nations that wish to progress to a similar status as western nations. The world was shown the hate that existed within the man that orchaestrated these attacks, and the limits that they were willing to go to. These attacks not only united a country, they united the world, under the casue to destroy terror in all nations, to preserve western ideals, and to enhance the progress of all nations.
9/2/2011 Reaction to Students Free Speech Rights
This week in our issues class we studied several Supreme Court cases that regarded the free speech rights of students on school grounds, or during school sponsored events. We studied the tinker case which involved high school students who wanted to wear black arm bands to protest the Vietnam War. The court ruled in favor of the Tinkers, as long as their protest did not encourage violence or start any violence. We also studied the Morse v. Frederick case, when a student was surrounded by school students and faculty, to watch the running of the Olympic torch in Juneau Alaska. Frederick (the student) raised a sign the read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus". The court ruled that the freedom of speech did not protect Frederick’s actions on school grounds, or a school sponsored event. One of the school's missions is to discourage drug use, and when Frederick was surrounded by his fellow students it could reasonably be inferred that he was promoting the use of drugs.
These cases were much more than a simple debate about freedom of speech. The fact that both of these took place under school supervision shed a new light onto the issue of freedom of speech. I believe that so far the court’s rulings have been far and their reasoning’s for these rulings are just and sensible. I believe that there should be some restraints on this first amendment right when entering a school. The schools job is the shape the young and impressionable minds of American society. They are supposed to not only provide the academic knowledge that is required for students to succeed in high school, college, and in their jobs. They also instill the morals of American society into the youth. The use of drugs in the United States is illegal. If drugs are being promoted under school supervision, then that is contradicting the schools mission.
In the Tinker case I believe the court’s ruling was just as well, because the students were not promoting anything illegal, they were merely exercising their freedom of speech, without interfering with the school's mission. If another student that was supporting the Vietnam War wanted to wear a button or something else to support the war he could certainly do so, as long as the protests did not lead to violence, the students were correctly exercising their freedom of speech.
A student’s freedom of speech is more restrictive than that of an adult but it is necessary for the school to succeed its mission of instilling American morals within its students. Between these two cases the Supreme Court was able to find a balance between being restrictive and not too restrictive when it comes to a student’s freedom of speech.
New Wrestling Season
This wrestling season is probably going to be the most competitive, yet successful season of my four years wrestling for the high school. My weight class is surrounded by very talented and competitive wrestlers, coveting the varsity position at 182 pounds. I am not as strong as the other wrestlers in my weight class, but what i lack in brawn, i certainly make up for in brain. I am a smart wrestler and I can outlast many wrestlers that are stronger than I am. This fall I am focusing on building muscle as much as possible for this final season of my wrestling season.
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