Amendments

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/state/amendment-2-voters-asked-to-bring-clarity-to-judicial-selection-process_00824294

After decades arguing among lawyers and politicians over the best way to choose Tennessee’s top judges, voters are being asked to resolve the issue once and for all this fall. The request to voters comes in the form of Amendment 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot. In essence, the Vote Yes on 2 campaign asks voters to officially accept the judicial selection system for 29 state appellate court judges that is already in place. The Vote Yes on 2 campaign is a well-financed and well-organized effort led by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam and his Democratic predecessor, Phil Bredesen. 


http://www.trussvilletribune.com/2014/09/22/the-importance-of-the-14th-amendment/

In legal circles the 14th Amendment is often cited as the amendment with the most profound effect on the rights of everyday citizens. The reason this is so important goes back to the 19th century. Prior to the passage of the 14th Amendment, the Bill of Rights was deemed to only apply to the federal government and not the states. Beginning in the 1920s, the Supreme Court began using this section of the 14th Amendment to apply the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states through a process called “incorporation.”


http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorshipfirstamendmentissues/courtcases

Since Anita Whitney did not base her defense on the First Amendment, the Supreme Court, by a 7 to 2 decision, upheld her conviction of being found guilty under the California’s 1919 Criminal Syndicalism Act for allegedly helping to establish the Communist Labor Party, a group the state argued taught the violent overthrow of government.


http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2003/2003_02_628

In 1996, Linda Frew and other citizens settled a class-action lawsuit in federal district court against the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Settlement was reached through a consent agree, in which the parties make an agreement that is subject to court supervision. Texas argued that because no federal rights had been violated, suit could not be brought in federal court.

9/29/14 Bell Ringer

1. Tensions have escalated in Hong Kong since late August, when Beijing announced its highly restrictive framework for the 2017 election.
2. We have more freedom in the United States than they do.

9/26/14 Bell Ringer

1. It shows that the education in the state is very poor.
2. A majority of the people may not find a college education to be as important as it actually is.
3. Offer more scholarships and programs to help people who don't have the funds to go to college.

9/25/14 - Bell Ringer

1. In his annual address to the United Nations, Obama urged all countries and religions to reject the extremist ideologies that fuel bloodshed and threaten global stability.

2. I believe that Obama was fairly effective in pursuading the nations. He tried to persuade them as much as he could without offending anyone.

9/18/14 - Bell Ringer

ISIS' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the mysterious boss of the terror group that is striking fear into the hearts of leaders around the world. New data has revealed that ISIS is putting governing structures in place to rule the territories the group conquers once the dust settles on the battlefield. Baghdadi, his Cabinet advisers and his two key deputies comprise the executive branch of the government, known as "Al Imara." As time goes on, ISIS is evolving into a government whose political decision-making cannot be separated from its military capabilities, according to Opperman.

9/16/14 Bell Ringer

1.  I don't believe that whipping your kid with a tree branch or anything like that is a reasonable punishment. There are many other methods of punishment for your children without hurting or injuring them.

2. The views on discipline have changed as we have advanced in society. Paddling your children is a thing of the past. Although some parents still whip their children, it is not as common as it was 20 years ago.

Amendments 2-10

II - A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. interpretted to grant the right of gun ownership to individuals for purposes that include self-defense.

III - No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

IV - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

V - No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

VI - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

VII - In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

VIII - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. most often mentioned in the context of the death penalty.

IX - The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

X - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. helps define the concept of federalism

9/8/14 Bell Ringer

     Today, World War II veteran Fred Mayer relaxes at his home in Charles Town. Most people don’t know that Mayer fled Nazi Germany for New York City in 1938 to escape Adolf Hitler’s persecution of Jews. He volunteered to join the U.S. Army, then became a secret agent with the OSS, the precursor to the modern CIA. Mayer was caught by the dreaded Gestapo, beaten for days by Nazi thugs, and later released with the help of a sympathetic doctor. Mayer infiltrated the local army barracks, posing as a wounded German officer, and was able to find out important information from the Germans, including a detailed description of Hitler’s secret bunker complex in Berlin.

9/5/14 Bell Ringer

1. If the fake towers are listening to phone calls or reading texts from average citizens that is an invasion of privacy. If people are listening in, then they could find out personal information about citizens such as credit card numbers.

2. It could have been the U.S. military that put the towers up. They are probably connected to the military in some way.

3. The U.S. government could potentially be behind the towers, yet I feel like they have other means to tap into people's calls without having to put up these towers. No one really knows what purpose the towers serve though, except for the people who are behind it.

9/4/14 Bell Ringer

1. This will have a big impact on the people that live there because it could bring fighting and disagreements.
2. It is targeting Muslims and the people who live in India.
3. The United States should stay alert and monitor the situation as it progresses and not let their guard down.

9/2/14 Bell Ringer

1. No, I'm not surprised that something like this could happen with the hackers and technology that we have in society today. It would be very easy to find out a password if it is short and simple.

2. Yes, it's hard to tell who can see who you send to people nowadays. Most of the time people don't consider the fact that other people can see the pictures they send.

3. I believe the people who hacked their iClouds should be prosecuted because it is a complete invasion of privacy. It would be hard to track it back to the person who actually did it. Whoever it was who hacked their accounts, was probably very careful and took precautions so they wouldn't get caught.