Free-Speech Case Divides Bush and Religious Rights

For me, I feel that any free speech case will divide the government from any religious association. Even though we all know there is to be a separation of church and state, there really isn't as long as religion is a part of people's lives. It is because of these different issues that arise separate yet equally important questions in each of the respective groups that they are divided. It is completely wrong that it "stands for the proposition that students have limited free speech rights balanced against the school district’s right to carry out its educational mission and to maintain discipline." No matter how old or where you are, there should never be a limitation of free speech. Yes, I agree that many times free speech can lead to violence, etc. but these kids were not inciting violence or hatred, it was a just a simple hoax to try to get on television. Maybe they should have been brought aside and told that it wasn't the place for that kind of thing, but it was handled in the wrong way by the teachers and staff at the school.

Free Speech or Drugs?

Free speech is based solely on the principle that we as a nation have agreed that we are able to voice our own opinions even if they are not the norm or completely welcome. It is because of these rights that we are able to live in the society we do, with the freedoms we have gained. Although it was unpopular for people to voice out against slavery during those times, people did and because of it we are now considered an equal society. If the government in any way tries to stifle our right to free speech no matter what we are saying, it is a direct violation of our first amendment right. By doing so, the government is implementing too much power such as other regimes in the past. We are supposed to have a government "for the people, by the people and of the people." We as a people voiced our opinions to get these freedoms invoked, and this is just one of the many instances where the government has taken that right away.

YES FOR ID CARDS!!! 8-)

This article seems to imply that by having these national ID we as a nation would be much safer. "Foremost is greatly reducing the incalculable amount of forged and stolen identification papers that this country is awash in — from driver’s licenses, to Social Security cards, to credit cards and more — all of which facilitate illegal immigration, identity theft and other criminal activity." The fact of the matter is that these ID cards, would hold an entire human being's life inside of it. There would be nothing to stop someone from stealing as many identities as wanted. I'm sorry but my identity is not a bargaining chip and I am not going to bargain on this course of action.

America Still #1? HECK YES!

The video we watched on Friday brought to light many important issues from around the world. Such issues as immigration, open trade society, and scientific freedom were the main focus. It was completely clear that we as American take for granted such things as our scientific freedom and actually. Hundreds of scientists travel into our country solely because their own country does not allow them certain freedoms within their own research. Because of this, America is at the forefront of many scientific experiments where in other cases without these people we would not be. For me, the clearest difference between us and certain other countries was our trade market. In some countries, within a matter of hours you are able to license and get permits for starting your own business. In America we have tighter standards than these countires, however it was most startling that some countries it would take years to get the necessary permission to start a business. I feel that it is because of our balance and willingness to accept new ideas that we are still number one.

The Prince: Chapter 26

This chapter of Machiavelli's The Prince begins by saying that in this point in time, Italy truly needed a ruler that would lead the people to happiness more than anything else. Unfortunately, Italy has had a horrible string of rulers and now Lorenzo de Medici was now the best hope. However, the only way that Medici was going to be able to succeed as Italy's next ruler was by learning from the past rulers' mistakes. One of the most major steps in the redemption of Italy was to renew Italy's military by creating a national army. If Medici succeeded in redeeming the people of Italy, he would be loved and embraced by all.

Machiavelli and the Mullahs

The first part of this article that really jumped out at me was subtle comparison of Bush to the Prince. By doing so, the author helps a younger reader to acknowledge the similarities between Machiavelli's The Prince and modern day. "The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons." - Bush and "If they wait until they are near at hand, the medicine will not be in time, for by then the malady will have become incurable." - Machiavelli. Bush's plan for Tehran included the following Machiavellian principles: self-reliance, importance of being feared, need to take initiative when conflict is inevitable. However, I still am not completely on board with the whoe idea that fear is a better way to control people than by love. It is through true respect, trust and honor that people are able to truly be controlled and kept under your power. This article does a great job relating the concepts brought forth from Machiavelli and putting them into a way our generation is better able to understand them.

The Prince: Chapters 9-16

Machiavelli starts off by explaining there are two specific groups of people within each civilization. The two separate groups are the nobles and the common people. He believes that the nobles are predisposed to holding down the common people and the common people are predisposed to working against this oppression. A Prince that gains power through the use of the nobles is at a much weaker point in relation to a Prince that is favored by the common people. This is true because the nobles are much harder to please than common people. Machiavelli also states that it is equally important to maintain defenses as it is to have a standing army. The issue of the Catholic church and its principalities involves a completely different separation of power throughout the area. The two essential components to maintaining a strong state are good laws and good armies. The good armies support the good laws and vice versa. Machiavelli then goes onto explain that a good army is dependent on outside sources as well as the stability of the Prince. Machiavelli's theory is that the only thing a Prince needs to study is war. Because of this, the Prince trains his body, mind and soul. Machiavelli then goes on to discuss the proper way a Prince should act. A prince's main focus shouldn't be on living morally, but doing what needs to be done to achieve the practical benefits.