Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Great Day for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL Americans

The Declaration of Independence…“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution …”nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution …”nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution… “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”

The 1st Amendment to the Constitution…  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

The 1st Amendment to the Constitution… “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.”

President Barack Obama on 1/21/2013 – “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law.  For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

Too many kids, at Oakridge and beyond, have over the years spent too much time in the shadows and on the receiving end of hurtful language and actions only because they were gay.  The Declaration of the United States, the Constitution of the United States, the President of the United States, supports the civil liberties of gay Americans as fully equal to those of every other American.  To all Gay Americans and those who have gay friends, fear not, soon the United States of America will protect your speech, afford you due process and the equal protection insured by your creator; the same rights and freedoms assured to every other citizen in this nation.

January 21, 2013 – a great day in United States History.

Comments Off on A Great Day for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL Americans

Filed under 1 Senior Current Issues, 2 Government, 3 Economics, Uncategorized

2013 Government Final Exam Guidelines

A.C.T! Reflection: Please go here for an excellent example of A.C.T! reflection.

Podcasts:  Please go here to find audio podcasts reviewing the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.  

This exam will concentrate on three historical political documents; The Declaration of Independence (Part I), The Bill of Rights (Part II), and 14th Amendment to the Constitution (Part III).   You will be asked questions about the environment in which each was written.  You will be required to interpret the meaning of each.  And finally I expect you to provide personal real world awareness as to the lasting implications of each document.  Grading of specific answers will take into account the depth and accuracy of your responses.

For Part IV – A.C.T! you must write up a full post A.C.T! reflection (Action Counts Today).  Your requirement is to actively read the article (notate it) and write up an A.C.T! reflection.  The assignment (for all students) will count as a fifty point homework grade, plus for those taking the final an additional 25% portion of the exam.   It is due at the beginning of school on Friday, January 25.  This portion of the Final Exam must be typed. You must also turn in the actual article.  I will grade you for active reading responses on the actual article.  You will be provided one hour class time in the computer lab to work on or search for an adequate article relating to your A.C.T! issue one week prior to exams.

If you have home computer access issues you may come in during any Exam period to use my computers or before or after school of exam week to work on your A.C.T! assignment.   Please see me if you questions.

Each of the four sections below count 25% of your final exam grade.  

  • I – 50 pts / Declaration of Independence (1776)
  • II – 50 pts / Bill of Rights (1791)
  • III – 50 pts / 14th Amendment to the Constitution (1868)
  • IV – 50 pts / A.C.T. – take home article evaluation (2013)

Comments Off on 2013 Government Final Exam Guidelines

Filed under 2 Government, Uncategorized

Selma Update 1/17/13

We got our tickets!  United Airlines ($230 per ticket)

  • Flight #5879  (OUT of Chicago O’Hare)
  • Friday March 1 
  • 7:01 AM to 8:46 AM
  • Flight #5857 (BACK from Birmingham International)
  • Monday March 4
  • 5:05 PM to 7:14 PM
This is a great price, good times in and out, out of Chicago – so, we drive to Chicago on Thursday night, we’ll get a hotel at the airport, we’ll drive into town and get a little Thai Food, cram into a couple of rooms for the night – get up early on Friday morning and be in Birmingham by 9:00 AM.
I’ve got Let the Trumpet Sound books for you to read.  It will truly enrich your experience.  And we need to get together for a couple of meetings before we go…so stay tuned for upcoming information.  But…it looks like we are ready to rumble…
  • Hannah
  • Devon
  • Meaghan
  • Caelin
  • Wyatt
  • Eric
  • Sascha
  • Mr. Wood


Comments Off on Selma Update 1/17/13

Filed under Uncategorized

SELMA Update – 1/13/13

Chicago flights on March 1 look GREAT!

Go to pages above for more  Selma Civil Rights Tour information.

Today on Sunday January 13 – tickets are $236 out of O’Hare.  That is fantastic!  We need to move NOW…Tuesday is our deadline.  I say we take the school van –drive to Chicago after school on Thursday.  Get a couple of rooms at the airport for Thursday night, visit Chicago on Thursday night, get up early Friday morning and head to the airport.  We can stay at an airport hotel.

If we jump on these tickets – I think everybody can save nearly $200 a piece – assuming the prices hold.  We’ll use a bit of that for rooms on Thursday night – but look we’ll be at the airport on Friday AM  – no long drive on Friday morning – we’ll be in Birmingham on Friday  morning – and we will all save money.

I’m thinking that you pay $300 for your flight…Monday or Tuesday.  That will cover any increase in the ticket price, plus a Chicago hotel.  We’ll total it up and I’ll give you back what’s leftover.  So…you’ve given me $50 already.  I need $250 more and we should have our flight – fingers crossed.

So, let’s do it on Tuesday!

Comments Off on SELMA Update – 1/13/13

Filed under Uncategorized

Selma Update 12/26/12

Go to pages above for more  Selma Civil Rights Tour information.

Hey guys…I need to talk with you.  We had nine people stay on…three people drop.  We are under ten travelers which means that we cannot get the group rate.  That doesn’t mean that tickets will cost more.  Right now there are flights on U.S. Airways twenty dollars cheaper than what we were going to pay.  The problem is that we have to nail down the ticket ASAP – which means we have to pay full fare as soon as possible.

I must cancel the group fare today – and you’ll get your $50 back.  That’s not a problem.

However we need to make sure that we are going, what your commitment level is, and when you can pay for your flight.  If we go online and purchase tickets…we have to do it immediately after school starts, or we are going to find ourselves in a real pickle pricewise on the tickets.

I need to know your thoughts on the following ASAP

  • Do you intend to go to Selma?
  • What is the earliest point at which you can pay for your flight – approximately $430?
  • Please contact me ASAP – (616) 402-8668 or bobwoodmsu@gmail.com
  • Selma Traveler List – Update 12/26/12
  • Caelin Subdon
  • Devon Huston
  • Eric Gemzer
  • Hannah Lawser
  • Meaghan Braspennix
  • Wyatt Sabatino
  • Sascha from Deutschland
  • Mr. Wood
  • Mr. Green 


 

Comments Off on Selma Update 12/26/12

Filed under Uncategorized