Witnessing a Watershed

This will be a week that historians will be analyzing and writing about for years to come. The American people went to the polls on Tuesday and elected 60 new Republican members to the House of Representatives, making Republicans the majority party in that chamber of Congress. They are expected to elect Representative John Boehner of Ohio as their Speaker when they return to the new session in January. In the meantime, the lame duck Congress (made up of current members including those just defeated) is expected to debate the extension of the Bush tax cuts that expire December 31, 2010. Congress will have the difficult balancing act of lowering taxes while trying to reduce the deficit. How will they accomplish these goals?

Closer to home, the people of Rhode Island elected their first independent governor, Lincoln Chaffee. He is following in his father’s footsteps by serving as Governor. Even though he ran on a platform that included an unpopular proposal to increase the sales tax, he is widely known as a man of honesty and integrity and thus earned the vote of many who were tired of political games.

Africa

This week we finished our study of Africa by reading about famine, watching the clips from the New York Times (see last week’s blog) and researching groups that aid people in these desperate situations. We all need to ask ourselves if this is a crisis we should be more involved with. Should we be urging our government to do more? Should we sponsor an organization that helps feed the people of Africa, or could we purchase fair trade coffee or beads for life in an effort to help people become self-sufficient? One of the groups I am especially interested in is Heifer International. I have put their catalogue on the board if you are interested in seeing how a small amount of money can help purchase a pig, goat or sheep to help a family become self-sufficient. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times is an advocate of micro financing, which lends small amounts of money, mainly to women, to help them start a cottage industry. Take a look at “A Powerful Truth” to see how this program works.

Our final activity for our unit on Africa was watching “War Dance” and writing an in-class reflective essay. I have provided you with a link to the web site so you can check on Nancy, Rose and Dominic. It is truly an inspirational story. I want to compliment you on your respectful attitude towards the movie. While it is not easy to read subtitles and hear much of the dialogue in a foreign language, you paid attention. While I have seen this movie numerous times, I am still moved by certain phrases, especially when Dominic says, as they are driving to the capitol, “I am excited to see what peace looks like.”

We also had our current events quiz. You wrote the questions and you were able to use your notes, so high grades should have been earned by all. We will continue doing current events and quizzes, so now you know the routine. Your next current event is on South West Asia. The current event is due 11/12 for periods A, B, D, and E, while period C has until 11/15.

Africa Power Points

Your reflection sheet and rubric will be returned next week. I hope you saw this assignment as an opportunity to learn about Africa but also to practice your group skills and presentation skills. While Capstone is a solo show, it is still useful to have practice presenting with a group. Using note cards and practicing your presentation are essential for a successful Capstone event.

South West Asia

Periods C and E received the new syllabus and the map assignment for South West Asia. Many people still refer to this region as the Middle East, but geographers have renamed it South West Asia in an attempt to sound less Euro-centric. Politically, militarily and economically, this region is of critical importance to our nation and poses some of our greatest challenges. It is likely events there will be affecting you for the rest of your lives, and as responsible citizens you need to be informed.

Extra credit question

The first to email (MHS accounts please) a correct list of the countries President Obama will be visiting on his Asian trip.