Bell Ringer! March 28, 2013

The Italian Court system is something I know nothing about, but it seems to be that they will give re-trials and give people a "second chance." this woman allegedly killed her roommate, therefore I think she should be put in jail for the rest of her life until she is dead like her roommate. Maybe she left the room a mess, but nothing could have deserved getting her life taken. The murderer thought this court mess was over, until more evidence came up and the case will be further investigated. I think that she should be punished accordingly.

Bell Ringer! March 27, 2013

same sex marriage is being more and more accepted throughout America and many people have mixed emotions on it; either you agree or disagree, theres no real in between on the subject. Now, same sex couples are saying that they are being treated unfairly as compared to married couples of opposite genders. Should same sex marriage couples be "fined" or have to pay a "debt" when one comes to an end? I believe that same sex couples aren't right, nor do I condone it, but once you make that decision it's on you, I don't even think it should even be made legal in the U.S. but people are so afraid of offending people now everything is becoming ok and it's really not.

Bell Ringer! Mar. 13, 2013

The Constitution is one of the most important documents that is still in effect today. It is the very foundation of our country as a whole. In it are our rights, wants and the basics of living our lives in the way that we deserve as given to us under God himself. The opening to The Constitution is the Preamble and it acts as the introduction explaining that this is what we want and what we deserve. Next are the seven articles followed by the 27 amendments. this is the framework that started it all and ensured us today that we are worthy and deserving of the lives we want.

Would I like jury duty?

     I really think that I would enjoy being called to be a juror for a case. I don't know a whole lot about how all that stuff is done and decided (except from the movies) and I think I'd like being able to be involved and get to witness it all happen. I think I'd like to serve on a petit jury, because then I'd actually get to make a decision about the case. It would be interesting to be involved in something like that, especially when people's families are hoping and praying that your end decision may go in their favor; it's a lot of pressure. I Think any criminal cases would be difficult, because you may not have all the facts, some people may not really have the answers you want and essentially you only know one thing, that this person supposedly committed a crime and of course they'll have a lawyer pleading their case, doing their best. Murder cases may be fun to hear, although it would probably be a touchy subject for some. I think I would just like to be involved and be a part of a decision made, because I know I'd use my best judgment and knowledge, therefore I think I'd feel good about whatever happened.

Jury Duty

     Many people may have wondered about what jury duty actually is or even what it would be like to participate in, but in order to have even the basic understanding of what it would be like, you have to know what the role of the jury is. To start, the term jury duty means that you have been chosen to be a juror for an upcoming case and you are expected to follow through with it, because serving jury duty is actually one of the responsibilities/duties of a United States citizen. Many people actually do enjoy being called for jury duty, because it open your eyes to the courts and the systems they use in such situations, it educates you and in a way forces you to become involved at the issue at hand. In order to be called for jury duty you have to fall in to certain criterion that makes you eligible for the position. For example, you have to be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.

            The role of a juror can be one filled with pressure, as the jury as a whole holds an important position; they essentially make the final decision. As a juror, you are to use your best judgment, common sense, and refer to all of the given evidence and viewpoints in order to make the best choice possible. The jury does not interpret the law or interrupt its functions in any way; instead they listen, decide, and go off the given evidence that is mentioned in the actual case itself. While the case is being presented to the judge and jury, the jury members may take notes on what they are seeing and hearing, and may pass notes to the foreman of the jury to request to the judge that something be discussed in further detail. All these factors presented determine which way the jury will lean to when it comes time to deliver a verdict.

     If and when a court case drags out for days at a time, when the case is adjourned for the day, the jurors can deliberate that day’s information with each other in private in order to discuss their thoughts and hear different viewpoints from the other jurors.

            The two dominant types of actual juries are the Petit jury and the Grand jury, both serving different intentions. Serving in a Petit jury means that you will go and hear either a criminal case or a civil case and each case has different requirements. In a criminal case, 12 jurors are required, as opposed to a civil case where only 8 jurors are needed. In a Petit jury on a criminal case, the jury must find the defendant either guilty or not guilty only by a unanimous vote. This jury is responsible for deciding, based on what they were given in the case if the defendant should be further “punished” or not. In the act of reaching a verdict in a civil case, only three fourths of the jury must agree on an answer.

            A Grand jury is very different from a Petit jury, because the Grand jury is only responsible for hearing the evidence given within the court case and then deciding if the defendant should be “indicted” and further trialed. This jury usually will serve for a longer period of time when compared to a Petit jury, because these cases are usually presented more in depth. The Grand jury is not, in any way, responsible for deciding the guilt or innocence of the person on trial, it is not their responsibility.

            Currently, in the United States, we have different types of courts including Federal and State, to which each has smaller more in-depth courts. The federal court refers to the court on a national level, where state courts only correspond within specific states and they are not all the same. Jury duty can completely depend on how a certain state’s court system is set up.

Bell Ringer! Mar. 11, 2013

Airport security is about to get technical with some people. Recently, mini pocketknives were allowed back on board, because, that's not where our security could be concerned apparently. Technology can, as of now, detect when a harmful (liquid) substance in on a plane or if there is an explosive making it important to have that feature in the plane with passengers. That same technology cannot, however detect what KIND of liquid something is, therefore still making shampoos, toothpastes, etc banned. Many people are wondering why this ban is being lifted, although there is a restriction on the knife blade length. The officials answered that they need to be more concerned with suspicious looking people as opposed to what they are taking on board with them, and that pocketknives have never really made any kinds of problems. I think it's a terrible idea and someone, somewhere is going to have a field day with this. Theres always that one person who takes a mile when you give them an inch; no good could come of this.

Bell Ringer! Mar. 7, 2013

1.) Yup, read the articles

2.) Define the terms 'Fillibuster' and 'Cloture'.
The term filibuster means, the act of excessive speech to hold off or delay the progress of the legislature for example, voting.
The term cloture means the act of ending a debate by the floor holder by a vote. At least 60 senators have to vote in the favor for the debate to be concluded.

3.) The History of the Filibuster
Filibusters have been around now since the mid- 19th century and continue to be used in today's senate as a way of "stalling." The act of using a filibuster is to simply speak for as long as you want about whatever you want in order to draw attention to something you feel needs more consideration before a vote. Researchers have found that the practice of using a filibuster was even used in ancient Roman times as a way to take the legislature "hostage." the first US filibuster was used in 1841 over the issue of firing the senate printers. Since then, senators have used the filibuster to take up time which can go on for days. It's a tactic that's been used in order to draw attention to something someone doesn't agree with, thus causing more time to be taken before a vote, to which the issue will be looked into in more detail. The cloture act wasn't put into play until 1917, which gave the senate the choice to stop the continuous talking if enough of them agreed to it.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1933802,00.html

4.) Did You Know?
     1.) Senator first started to use filibusters in the late 1800's
     2.) The longest filibuster was used by Senator Strom Thurmond
     3.) The word filibuster comes from a Dutch word meaning "pirate"
     4.) 60 voted are needed to put a cloture into effect
     5.) It takes 41 senators to just mention that they intend to filibuster in order to stop a bill.
     6.) The number of times that the word "drones" were mentioned in Senator Rand Paul's
     filibuster was 468.
     7.) The cloture rule was put into effect on March 8, 1917 after Wilson had sat through a 23 day
     filibuster against his proposal to arm merchant ships.
     8.) The House of Representatives stopped using filibusters in 1842 because of it's growing size
     9.) Cato the Younger, was an ancient Roman politician who is known as one of the world's
     greatest filibusters.
     10.) During the time a filibuster is being given, the filibuster cannot leave the floor for anything.

Bell Ringer! Mar. 5, 2013

So, this past Tuesday, North Korea threatened to nullify the armistice agreement that had previously ended the north Korean War in 1953. Threres talk that the practice missile procedures had sparked all of this talk and pretty much North Korea's just wanting to do whatever it wants with what it has and not have to worry about anyone else, plus they haven't been getting along with South Korea for a while now. I think it's kind of a scary thought that they might be taking back what  ended a big war, so what will that mean for them then? More war? Do they want war? It's not a good time..at all, why can't we all just get along!

Bell Ringer! Mar. 4, 2013

1.) Taxes and higher income families
Many of the wealthier families in American have been frustrated and been claiming that they are being unfairly taxed. The wealthier, higher income families are as of now, required to pay more taxes in comparison to everyone else. This would make me mad too, but they have the money to pay while middle income families don't always have it there to pay as well as the wealthy could. I think the middle class needs to have the lowest taxes, because they get hit the hardest, and whatever the rate is that deems you "wealthy" needs to be lowered to where more families pay slightly higher taxes too. Taxes are necessary for life to work, but we are too much in debt and keep getting farther and farther, while nothing is being done about it, or at least nothings being done fast enough. It should be common sense, if you're counted as wealthy you pay more, but not so much more to where you wont be OK.

2.) Tax reform debate
The upcoming tax reform debate is quickly approaching and the officials are gathering their thoughts on the subject. As like everything there are two distinct sides to everything. One group encourages a tax reform where the other has questionable concerns. I hope there is a tax reform, but in a good way, I don't want taxes to be raised and federal employees to have cut backs, i think that would hurt more than help; only time will tell

Bell Ringer! Mar. 1, 2013

Dennis Rodman recently visited North Korea at a basket ball exhibition at the palace. He is very open about his friendship with the North Korean Leader, Kim, and says he loves the people of North Korea and is okay with that. A lot of discussion about North Korea's recent missile episode has gone into effect relating to Rodman's recent "love" for North Korea. Many people here are actually hoping that maybe this relationship will ease the tension between the U.S. and North Korea. Kim is said to be a huge basketball fan, especially when Rodman was playing for the NBA. I don't trust them or their friendship. We have never had good relations with North Korea, so I don't think think we should be trying to start one now.

Bell Ringer! Feb. 28, 2013 1,2,3 & 4

1.) Teen Driving rates
     The percentage of teen driver moralities has doubled since the first half of 2012. The driver ages have been mostly 16 and 17 year olds being the ones involved in the accidents. If this trend continues into early 2013 we will have a lot more deaths and a much bigger problem with general transportation system. I think it's really a shame that so many young teen lives are being lost due to teen drivers. I don't know it it's their fault or the other person, but regardless, they need to have a better understanding of how a vehicle works before getting behind the wheel.


2.) Guns and Friendship in West Virginia
     Since almost the beginning of West Virginia we have loved having our guns and protecting what's ours. With all the upcoming talk about President Obama's thoughts on tightening up the guns all over the nation, West Virginia is one of the states who are most against this. People here have a sort of bond over their guns and shooting together. It's more than a lifestyle to many people here, having their guns is a way to function and feel a sense of pride in their homes and communities. I think it's a good thing we are so comfortable with having guns and that we are always ready to defend whats ours. In today's world, we can't be afraid to stand up for ourselves no matter what.


3.) Sexting?
     Research has shown that every 1 in 3 teens had admitted to sexting in their lives. This includes send an inappropriate photo or explicit text. This act is very dangerous and can entail serious consequences for teens and can potentially put them in jail. It is an illegal act that they don't seem to take serious enough. I think higher precautions need to be taken to lower this percentage.
    



4.) Teens suspended over Harlem Shake video
     A handful of high school teens got suspended from school and from the hockey play off game they were supposed to take part in due to an "inappropriate" Harlem Shake video. The project only lasted about 15 second and no one was hurt, but the principal said it was too out of hand and alerted the local police, who were on the scene. This "rave" had the permission by a teacher of the students, who said it would be okay. I don't think the kids should have gotten suspended, because technically, no one was harmed, nor was any property damaged in the process. They were just having fun, it's not like 100 other kids haven't made Harlem Shake videos.