Over the last week we have formally, and informally, talked about the crisis in Syria as an example of several of the classic forms of government. Tonight you will be assigned to watch and outline President Obama's televised speech to the people of the United States at 9:00 pm on every major network. Today and tomorrow, in class, we will look at the the options before President Obama, and how the Constitution of the United States factors into the decision in America to go to war. As you listen to the President tonight, use these resources from class to help you understand what he is saying.
More than anything, enjoy our dialog. We live in a country where this type of debate is intended to restrict sudden decisions by one person to send our military into any old war. This is not the case in most of the world, and was not the case under King George in the 1700s.
Enjoy,
Mr. Ellsworth
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Background, the Constitutional Process, and Outline Example
UPDATE #1: Students, Here is the President's Rose Garden statement about Syria from Saturday. There is a link to its transcript (the words) on the website. We ran out of time in class today, but I promised you I would outline this speech as an example of how I would like you to outline the President's televised speech tonight. Check back here between 8:00 and 8:30 tonight to see my outline. I will also share it with you over google drive when it is finished, so check your email as it gets closer to the speech. - Mr. Ellsworth.
UPDATE #2: Students, below is my outline of President Obama's Rose Garden statement on Saturday. I want you to practice outline note-taking in my class, as it is a life-skill you will need beyond high school. Please do not be scared about my outline. I've been doing it for a long time. We will work on it throughout the semester. Do the best you can to get the major points of the President's speech tonight and as many of the details as you can. Also, I did not do this once and then walk away. I took rough notes while listening/watching it "live" (kind of like a draft), and then I went back afterwards and organized it into a more structured form. I also used the transcript of the speech to fill in details that he said too quickly for me to remember in the moment. The transcript for tonight's speech should go online within five minutes of the end of the speech. As I said in class today, I will be watching it and making an outline as well. I also plan to go to the transcript afterward. You should do the same in order to clear up any confusion you have while listening to the speech.
Good luck, and enjoy this. No president has formally asked permission to go to war or to make a minor military action since President Roosevelt in 1941. You are witnessing history and the setting of precedent that could reign in presidential power for decades to come. You are here now to see it happen. To me, that's exciting!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Arguments, Options, and Cabinet Meeting
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