After some hard fought elections, we have the following officers for next year:
President -- Elijah Jaime
Vice President -- Joel Burkes
Secretary -- Victoria Jaime
Treasurer -- Katie Kratsch
Chaplain -- to be announced
We have one more meeting for the year -- our mock Mock Trial next Wednesday, May 6th, from 10 to 12 at the Burkes' church, on Sparkman. Joel is supposed to be sending directions.
Decision was made that any clothes except shorts and t-shirts would be acceptable for the event.
Please let me know if you have signed up for this event and will NOT be attending...
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Revised Mock Trial Parts
We will have another Mock Trial class in 2 weeks, on April 22nd, and the Scrimmage on May 6.
Parts are now:
Prosecution team
Opening -- Victoria
Chris Taylor -- Ariella, directed by Heidi
Bailey Powell -- Kayleigh, directed by Lee
Jean Thomas -- Levi, directed by Joel
Noah crossing Henley Wells
Connor crossing Blake Williams
Joel crossing Miller Edwards
Closing -- Joel
****
Defense team
Opening -- Houston
Henley Wells -- Aaron, directed by Karl
Blake Williams -- Jacob, directed by Elijah
Miller Edwards -- Katie, directed by Niki
Steven crossing Chris Taylor
Houston crossing Bailey Powell
Adam crossing Jean Thomas
Closing -- Steven
Parts are now:
Prosecution team
Opening -- Victoria
Chris Taylor -- Ariella, directed by Heidi
Bailey Powell -- Kayleigh, directed by Lee
Jean Thomas -- Levi, directed by Joel
Noah crossing Henley Wells
Connor crossing Blake Williams
Joel crossing Miller Edwards
Closing -- Joel
****
Defense team
Opening -- Houston
Henley Wells -- Aaron, directed by Karl
Blake Williams -- Jacob, directed by Elijah
Miller Edwards -- Katie, directed by Niki
Steven crossing Chris Taylor
Houston crossing Bailey Powell
Adam crossing Jean Thomas
Closing -- Steven
Monday, April 6, 2009
Highlights of Youth Legislature
All in all I think we would all agree that this was an exciting weekend at Youth Leg.
Alex spent much of Friday in the Senate, where she got to present her bill to require schools to teach both sides of the creation/evolution debate. It didn't pass, but it garnered more support than we expected. Alex also did a great job in Supreme Court -- often speaking up, so I didn't have to!
Joel's bill to require families to purchase an electric car did not pass in the House, but he was able to convince the Supreme Court it was constitutional, after amending it to allow families to still keep their gas powered cars if they owned at least one electric. (He was one of only a few bill authors who faced them that was able to accomplish that.)
Jacob's bill to ban the use of cell phones in cars did not pass in First Year, but he also convinced the Supreme Court that it was constitutional -- and gave them their best prepared argument of the day.
Aaron's bill to force public schools to allow participation in their activities by homeschoolers not only passed in First Year, it was signed into law by the Governor -- the first bill authored by a WHCS student to ever be signed into law at Youth Leg.
Elijah's bill passed in First Year, but was vetoed by the Governor. We never found out what he had against requiring first aid kits in cars...Throughout the weekend, Elijah made himself known as the one who would ask, "Do you have something against homeschoolers?"
Katie and Kayleigh were disappointed that their bill never made it to the floor in First Year to be debated, but they both enjoyed debating other bills. Kayleigh was recognized in the newspaper as one of those "who took a stand and completely shut down the chamber with their debate". And Katie helped amend the bill to improve it some.
Katie was also recognized as one of the top 16 debaters in the First Year, and then selected as the 12th alternate to National Affairs.
Alex spent much of Friday in the Senate, where she got to present her bill to require schools to teach both sides of the creation/evolution debate. It didn't pass, but it garnered more support than we expected. Alex also did a great job in Supreme Court -- often speaking up, so I didn't have to!
Joel's bill to require families to purchase an electric car did not pass in the House, but he was able to convince the Supreme Court it was constitutional, after amending it to allow families to still keep their gas powered cars if they owned at least one electric. (He was one of only a few bill authors who faced them that was able to accomplish that.)
Jacob's bill to ban the use of cell phones in cars did not pass in First Year, but he also convinced the Supreme Court that it was constitutional -- and gave them their best prepared argument of the day.
Aaron's bill to force public schools to allow participation in their activities by homeschoolers not only passed in First Year, it was signed into law by the Governor -- the first bill authored by a WHCS student to ever be signed into law at Youth Leg.
Elijah's bill passed in First Year, but was vetoed by the Governor. We never found out what he had against requiring first aid kits in cars...Throughout the weekend, Elijah made himself known as the one who would ask, "Do you have something against homeschoolers?"
Katie and Kayleigh were disappointed that their bill never made it to the floor in First Year to be debated, but they both enjoyed debating other bills. Kayleigh was recognized in the newspaper as one of those "who took a stand and completely shut down the chamber with their debate". And Katie helped amend the bill to improve it some.
Katie was also recognized as one of the top 16 debaters in the First Year, and then selected as the 12th alternate to National Affairs.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Hate Speech
One of the bills the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional yesterday was one banning Hate Speech. It might be fair to say that the author had "good intentions", however the Supreme Court quickly ruled that his speech violated the first amendment anyway!
It was interesting today to then read in the Secular Right of a real issue with "UN-free Speech". I really enjoyed this portion: "It’s certainly to be hoped that (at least when it is deserved) some degree of good manners be shown when discussing matters of religion, but the essence of good manners are that they are voluntary." Sounded much like the discussions we were having yesterday. And disturbing to think that adults, in an international role, are pushing the same types of attacks on our free speech as some of the Youth in Government students.
It was interesting today to then read in the Secular Right of a real issue with "UN-free Speech". I really enjoyed this portion: "It’s certainly to be hoped that (at least when it is deserved) some degree of good manners be shown when discussing matters of religion, but the essence of good manners are that they are voluntary." Sounded much like the discussions we were having yesterday. And disturbing to think that adults, in an international role, are pushing the same types of attacks on our free speech as some of the Youth in Government students.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
2nd Day at Youth Leg
Another fun-filled day of debating in the various chambers and in the Supreme Court. Our Attorney Generals did a great job arguing for the constitutionality issues with various bills they brought before us. In the morning session, the Supreme Court only ruled constitutional on 2 out of 6 bills -- the one written by Joel and the one written by Jacob.
The morning ended with some extra excitement when the patron of one unconstitutional bill chose to throw his pocket constitution at the Supreme Court on his way out of our room.
The afternoon session saw six more bills get ruled on, with only one of those getting a constitutional pass (without much discussion, since it was basically a Senate version of Jacob's bill). Three additional bills, dealing with bringing a lottery to Alabama, caused issues since the Alabama constitution does not allow the lottery in our state. After much discussion, and some help from a legal scholar, it was decided that all three of those bills would have been unconstitutional if and only if the Constitution had already been amended to allow the lottery.
Most of the Supreme Court rulings were unanimous, 5-0, and then later 4-0 after one of the Justices had to depart. Only one bill caused much disagreement between the Justices, one dealing with illegal cell phones in jails brought a divided Court at 3-2.
The morning ended with some extra excitement when the patron of one unconstitutional bill chose to throw his pocket constitution at the Supreme Court on his way out of our room.
The afternoon session saw six more bills get ruled on, with only one of those getting a constitutional pass (without much discussion, since it was basically a Senate version of Jacob's bill). Three additional bills, dealing with bringing a lottery to Alabama, caused issues since the Alabama constitution does not allow the lottery in our state. After much discussion, and some help from a legal scholar, it was decided that all three of those bills would have been unconstitutional if and only if the Constitution had already been amended to allow the lottery.
Most of the Supreme Court rulings were unanimous, 5-0, and then later 4-0 after one of the Justices had to depart. Only one bill caused much disagreement between the Justices, one dealing with illegal cell phones in jails brought a divided Court at 3-2.
Friday, April 3, 2009
1st Day at Youth Leg
Bad weather turned our 3 hour trip to Montgomery into a 5 hour one, but we finally arrived safely. Shortly after arrival, we made the Government Club's first trip to an Emergency Room, with Elijah's freshly broken finger/hand.
But Friday was an exciting day anyway. The Attorney Generals have found almost 20 "unconstitutional" bills to bring before the Supreme Court tomorrow, mostly dealing with free speech, search and seizure, and cruel and unusual punishment issues. The Supreme Court anxiously awaits hearing from the bills' authors, including Joel and Jacob.
Our 5 first year students enjoyed their first day of debate -- including passing Elijah, Jacob, and Aaron's bills.
Joel was disappointed that his House bill to force change to electric cars was shut down, while Alex was pleasantly surprised that her Senate bill to force schools to teach Creation in addition to Evolution garnered as much support as it did.
The day is winding down to the first game of the trip, Apples to Apples.
But Friday was an exciting day anyway. The Attorney Generals have found almost 20 "unconstitutional" bills to bring before the Supreme Court tomorrow, mostly dealing with free speech, search and seizure, and cruel and unusual punishment issues. The Supreme Court anxiously awaits hearing from the bills' authors, including Joel and Jacob.
Our 5 first year students enjoyed their first day of debate -- including passing Elijah, Jacob, and Aaron's bills.
Joel was disappointed that his House bill to force change to electric cars was shut down, while Alex was pleasantly surprised that her Senate bill to force schools to teach Creation in addition to Evolution garnered as much support as it did.
The day is winding down to the first game of the trip, Apples to Apples.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Govt Club Students React to CPSIA Rally Today
In spite of technical difficulties, at least 16 of us managed to watch the Rally crowded around the computer screen!
This is what I have for comments (if I have anybody's age wrong, feel free to let me know):
I don’t chew on things! I can’t even fit the books I read in my mouth.
Things I don’t like about CPS“I”A:
1. I can barely find shoes and clothes because the prices have gone up
2. My mom had to get rid of her books.
3. I am 10 and it says 13 and up, and 12 and under.
4. I just don’t like it.
Things I like about CPS “I”A
1. …I guess nothing!
Sonia, age 10
****
This law is stupid. I take this as an insult. Why to age 12? Children stop “eating” books at 1 ½! It is insulting to parents too! You have to physically eat lead to get lead poisoning! Are you really trying to make new jobs? No! Millions of people will lose their jobs after this bill.
Hardly anybody gets lead poisoning in America, so re-make this bill!
People are getting injured due to the fact that kids have to get too big bikes and such!
Aaron, age 12
****
The law is stupid ‘cause all of the lead is coming from China. There’s only 4 factories in the US that can test for lead, and when those 4 factories fill up then all of the things will have to be sent back to China where all the lead problems are coming from in the first place.
The CPSIA was meant to protect children, but I think it’s doing exactly the opposite because the law is making it illegal for kids to get ATVs that are the right size. So the kids are having to ride ATVs and bikes that are adult sized – and too big for them, thus raising the injury level.
Elijah, age 12
****
Parents should be able to make their own choices without the government in their way. But now Congress has passed a law that tells what you can and cannot buy. How dumb is that? Another thing is that they have to test the same shirt in different sizes. It’s the same material….It insults parents and kids.
Now to the penalties. These are soooo unconstitutional. A fine of $100,000. That’s outrageous and that’s not all. Five years in jail. Five years. Both of these for selling one item. One item with lead in it. CPSIA hurts kids and that’s the truth.
Student, age 13
****
Old books that are out of print are going to completely vanish, be eliminated. And twelve and younger? My two-year-old cousin doesn’t chew on things, let alone a twelve year old! Businesses are going to have to stop, people are going to be laid off, and we are already having issues with jobs! Some people can’t afford to test objects for lead, so what are they supposed to do? This bill should be repealed, there are no amounts of amendments that could fix this bill.
Katie, age 13
****
Who is going to eat a book anyway? In order to ingest lead, you would have to eat the whole book. And even then, it would probably not have enough lead in it to do anything.
They are outlawing children’s ATVs. That means that the truly devoted ATVers would ride ADULT ATVs. Which is more threatening, lead or oversized ATV’s that younger kids could easily wreck?
The law is unconstitutional. The government has no rights to not allow us to sell children’s products. It isn’t drugs. It isn’t illegal stuff.
There are a total of two cases of lead related deaths in recent years. Neither of which were due to books, toys, ATVs or car engines. They were from jewelry, from China.
Jacob, age 13
****
12 year olds do not eat random toys…testing for every color, product and size for lead is excessive and unneeded…Don’t take away One Fish Two Fish.
Student, age 14
****
Many people will lose money and jobs from this law, because where would they put all their old toys and books? They will have to throw them all away because they can’t sell them.
If you touch something with lead in it you will not die. And you will have to ingest a lot of it!
Student, age 14
****
This law makes it impossible for people who make and sell crafts to, or intended for, small children, to continue selling their products. These handmade products, which are created individually, now must be tested before they can be lawfully sold. Not only are the tests required impossibly expensive for these people to pay for, but they destroy the product in the process. How can these products be certified if they cannot afford testing, and the product ends up destroyed, anyway.
Also, lead poisoning occurs when lead is ingested. Simply touching something with lead in it does not put a person at risk. Why, then, are products such as books, bikes, and even clothes suddenly dangerous? Very few children that I am aware of, especially of the ages for which these products are intended, are chewing on their books and toys!
Kay, age 14
****
The cost and frequency of testing the law requires is outrageous. And the penalty is too costly.
Student, age 15
****
Books – everyone reads, even little kids. It helps them learn. Why would you want to keep them from learning? More importantly, why would you want to take away Dr. Seuss?
Bicycles – they’re made to have fun. A little kids isn’t going to eat it. Give them some credit, they’re smarter than you think.
Companies are going to have to cut back on their workers and during this time we need to keep as many jobs as we can. We can’t get through this without them.
Monica, age 15
****
This enrages me and I’m not even going to be directly affected by this. The rally is a good way to take the war to the enemy, which in our case is Congress. The word that kills us her is “all”. And all will be affected by this in one way or another.
Joel, age 16
****
Its inadvertent consequences hurt businesses, the economy, and children.
It completely takes the parents’ ability to choose toys for their children out of consideration.
Washington is incompetent!
Steven, age 17
****
I am offended that Congress feels we the people can’t make decisions for ourselves. By passing CPSIA, politicians have taken away parents rights to decide what products are appropriate for their children.
This law is also insulting to the children that it claims to protect. No 12-year-old has ever died because there was lead in their library books. Though the original intent may have been good, Congress took it too far. This bill goes beyond children’s protection. All it does is take away their freedom to play.
Student, age 17
This is what I have for comments (if I have anybody's age wrong, feel free to let me know):
I don’t chew on things! I can’t even fit the books I read in my mouth.
Things I don’t like about CPS“I”A:
1. I can barely find shoes and clothes because the prices have gone up
2. My mom had to get rid of her books.
3. I am 10 and it says 13 and up, and 12 and under.
4. I just don’t like it.
Things I like about CPS “I”A
1. …I guess nothing!
Sonia, age 10
****
This law is stupid. I take this as an insult. Why to age 12? Children stop “eating” books at 1 ½! It is insulting to parents too! You have to physically eat lead to get lead poisoning! Are you really trying to make new jobs? No! Millions of people will lose their jobs after this bill.
Hardly anybody gets lead poisoning in America, so re-make this bill!
People are getting injured due to the fact that kids have to get too big bikes and such!
Aaron, age 12
****
The law is stupid ‘cause all of the lead is coming from China. There’s only 4 factories in the US that can test for lead, and when those 4 factories fill up then all of the things will have to be sent back to China where all the lead problems are coming from in the first place.
The CPSIA was meant to protect children, but I think it’s doing exactly the opposite because the law is making it illegal for kids to get ATVs that are the right size. So the kids are having to ride ATVs and bikes that are adult sized – and too big for them, thus raising the injury level.
Elijah, age 12
****
Parents should be able to make their own choices without the government in their way. But now Congress has passed a law that tells what you can and cannot buy. How dumb is that? Another thing is that they have to test the same shirt in different sizes. It’s the same material….It insults parents and kids.
Now to the penalties. These are soooo unconstitutional. A fine of $100,000. That’s outrageous and that’s not all. Five years in jail. Five years. Both of these for selling one item. One item with lead in it. CPSIA hurts kids and that’s the truth.
Student, age 13
****
Old books that are out of print are going to completely vanish, be eliminated. And twelve and younger? My two-year-old cousin doesn’t chew on things, let alone a twelve year old! Businesses are going to have to stop, people are going to be laid off, and we are already having issues with jobs! Some people can’t afford to test objects for lead, so what are they supposed to do? This bill should be repealed, there are no amounts of amendments that could fix this bill.
Katie, age 13
****
Who is going to eat a book anyway? In order to ingest lead, you would have to eat the whole book. And even then, it would probably not have enough lead in it to do anything.
They are outlawing children’s ATVs. That means that the truly devoted ATVers would ride ADULT ATVs. Which is more threatening, lead or oversized ATV’s that younger kids could easily wreck?
The law is unconstitutional. The government has no rights to not allow us to sell children’s products. It isn’t drugs. It isn’t illegal stuff.
There are a total of two cases of lead related deaths in recent years. Neither of which were due to books, toys, ATVs or car engines. They were from jewelry, from China.
Jacob, age 13
****
12 year olds do not eat random toys…testing for every color, product and size for lead is excessive and unneeded…Don’t take away One Fish Two Fish.
Student, age 14
****
Many people will lose money and jobs from this law, because where would they put all their old toys and books? They will have to throw them all away because they can’t sell them.
If you touch something with lead in it you will not die. And you will have to ingest a lot of it!
Student, age 14
****
This law makes it impossible for people who make and sell crafts to, or intended for, small children, to continue selling their products. These handmade products, which are created individually, now must be tested before they can be lawfully sold. Not only are the tests required impossibly expensive for these people to pay for, but they destroy the product in the process. How can these products be certified if they cannot afford testing, and the product ends up destroyed, anyway.
Also, lead poisoning occurs when lead is ingested. Simply touching something with lead in it does not put a person at risk. Why, then, are products such as books, bikes, and even clothes suddenly dangerous? Very few children that I am aware of, especially of the ages for which these products are intended, are chewing on their books and toys!
Kay, age 14
****
The cost and frequency of testing the law requires is outrageous. And the penalty is too costly.
Student, age 15
****
Books – everyone reads, even little kids. It helps them learn. Why would you want to keep them from learning? More importantly, why would you want to take away Dr. Seuss?
Bicycles – they’re made to have fun. A little kids isn’t going to eat it. Give them some credit, they’re smarter than you think.
Companies are going to have to cut back on their workers and during this time we need to keep as many jobs as we can. We can’t get through this without them.
Monica, age 15
****
This enrages me and I’m not even going to be directly affected by this. The rally is a good way to take the war to the enemy, which in our case is Congress. The word that kills us her is “all”. And all will be affected by this in one way or another.
Joel, age 16
****
Its inadvertent consequences hurt businesses, the economy, and children.
It completely takes the parents’ ability to choose toys for their children out of consideration.
Washington is incompetent!
Steven, age 17
****
I am offended that Congress feels we the people can’t make decisions for ourselves. By passing CPSIA, politicians have taken away parents rights to decide what products are appropriate for their children.
This law is also insulting to the children that it claims to protect. No 12-year-old has ever died because there was lead in their library books. Though the original intent may have been good, Congress took it too far. This bill goes beyond children’s protection. All it does is take away their freedom to play.
Student, age 17
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
