Limitations on Freedom

All of us have some of our freedoms taken away because our social contract says some greater goal is achieved by limiting those freedoms.

• Children are robbed of their freedom to spend their time however they want because adults think we will have a better society if people are educated.


• Adults do not have the freedom to spend their money how they want because our social contract says that everyone needs to pay taxes to contribute to things like roads, police, and schools.


• None of us have the freedom to walk around in public without clothing because our social contract says that public nudity is offensive and disturbs the peace.

What freedoms are taken away from you? What is the reason or purpose for limiting your freedom? Do you think it is fair and appropriate that our rights and freedoms are limited in these ways? Would you suggest any changes? Refer to your rubric, or the one posted on the previous blogs, for full credit. Please remember to use 8 complete sentences (and spelling and grammar count).

Should a child ever have the right to divorce a parent?

First, please closely examine the rubric for our blog, especially the last bullet in each category regarding making connections.

Not Even Close (no credit)

• Is not even four full sentences


• Does not coherently answer the question or address the blog topic


• Almost totally lacking in either fact or opinion


• Looks like an AIM message, not formal school writing, errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and spelling


• Does not make a connection

Solid Blog Contribution(7/10 points)

• Is at least four full sentences


• Addresses the blog topic thoughtfully and coherently (the comment makes sense and can be followed)


• Some fact and some opinion but lacking a bit in one or the other


• Is written formally, with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage, with only one or two errors


• Attempts to make a connection by identifying a person, place, or situation that could inform the blog topic, but does not explain the relationship

Very Strong Blog Contribution(10/10 points)

• Is at least eight sentences long


• Addresses the blog topic very thoughtfully and coherently


• Uses an appropriate amount and balance of facts and opinion (evidence and insight)


• Is written formally with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage, with no errors


• Makes a connection by identifying a person, place, or situation that could inform the blog topic and explains the relationship; may compare or contrast the two

Then, with the rubric in mind, answer the following question: should a child ever have the right to divorce a parent? In other words, should a child ever be able to choose to legally separate from one or both of his or her parents?

“You have won your revolution”

President Obama stated the above words to the people of Libya upon the demise of their former ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The people of America may very well have once heard these lines from someone. Read the following articles. As we see the following countries beginning their journey to democracy, re-evaluate what democracy really means to you. Be sure to use connections from class and include advice for those now following in our footsteps. Follow your Blog Rubric to get full credit.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,2097451,00.html
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/23/world/africa/libya-main/index.html?eref=time_world
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097554,00.html

Columbus: Hero or villian?

Based on your analyses of primary and secondary sources, answer the following question. Should we honor Columbus and celebrate "Columbus Day" or should we rename the holiday, perhaps "Native American Day"?