Supreme Court Upholds Search of Sexy Texting

The Supreme Court had a common-sense message Thursday for workers with cell phones and other gadgets provided by their employers: Use your own cell phone if you’ve got something to text that you don’t want your boss to read. (6/17/10 Associated Press, Mark Sherman) … Read Article

1. “… Justice Anthony Kennedy did make clear that governments can check to be sure their employees are following the rules.” Discuss your opinion of Justice Kennedy’s statement.

2. Do you agree with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that Quon’s constitutional right was violated? Why or why not?

A Post-Racial America: Are We There Yet?

According to Andrew Young, the American politician, diplomat and civil rights legend, the tea party movement is one sign the country hasn’t reached a post-racial era. (5/25/10 ABC News, Devin Dwyer) … Read Article

1. What, according to the article, does Andrew Young and his godson have in common?

2. Who are the examples of “humanitarian capitalist” according to Andrew Young?

Illegal Immigrants Make 1,500-Mile March to Washington

South Florida college students Felipe Matos, 23, Carlos Roa, 22, and Gaby Pacheo, 25, say their lives as undocumented immigrants have become so “unbearable,” they decided it was time to take their stories to the nation’s capital…on foot. (1/26/10 ABC News, Devin Dwyer) … Read Article

1. What did the spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say about the student walkers?

2. What did the ICE Director say about the case of individuals like Matos, Roa, and Pacheo?

(Video)A Graduation Engagement: A Sign of the Time?

Valedictorian Emily Hawley proposed to her long time boyfriend Josh Walker during her commencement speech at New Jersey’s Centenary College. (5/17/10 CBSNewsOnline

1. How fitting was Emily’s Valedictorian speech and her surprise proposal to her boyfriend? Do you think she wrote her speech with her proposal in mind?

2. Discuss how nontraditional Emily’s action was . Do you approve or disapprove of her action? Why or why not?

2.

Mandatory Voting Debate

If a Ridgway, Colo., brewer and pub owner had his way, he and 1,000 or so town residents would be required to vote, which he envisions as a future model for mandatory voting for all U.S. citizens. (4/27/10 ABC News, Eamon McNiff) … Read Article

1. Discuss what Tom Hennessy means by “voting is the reason for our freedoms.”

2. Discuss how the right to vote compares with the First Amendment rights.

Vietnam Celebrates 35th Anniversary of War’s End

Vietnam marked the 35th anniversary of the Communist victory in the Vietnam War with a grand military parade Friday through the former Saigon, with the government basking more in its economic achievements than its historic military defeat of the United States. (4/30/10 Associated Press, Ben Stocking) … Read Article

1. Critics of the war in Iraq often compare it to Vietnam. Based on the article, identify some ways in which Iraq is similar to Vietnam.

2. In a speech, Lt. Gen. Le Thanh Tam, the chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Veterans Association, warned that Vietnam must be wary of “hostile forces who use democracy and human rights as a pretext to sabotage Vietnam.” Discuss the implication of this warning for U.S. foreign policy toward non-democratic nations such as Venezuela, and Cuba.

Russia Threatens To End Adoptions To The U.S.

In a meeting between Russian and U.S. officials on a new pact for adoptions of Russian children, Russia demanded greater monitoring of the children and the right to prosecute American parents who abuse those children. (4/30/10 ABC News, Alexander Marquardt) … Read Article

1. “Many adoptions are in limbo…” Discuss the circumstance that put adoptions to the U.S.  in jeopardy.

2. Discuss the implications of Russia’s demand for the right to prosecute American parents who abuse their adopted children.

Tourists Beware: France To Ban Burqa In Public

France’s government on Thursday announced it would apply a proposed ban on face-covering Islamic veils to visiting tourists as well as residents, even as skepticism mounted over the legality of the plan. (4/22/10 Reuters, Sophie Hardach) … Read Article

1. On what basis does the junior family minister support the ban on burqa?

2. Discuss the potential legal and political risks President Sarkozy faces by proposing the ban on the Muslim veil.

France To Ban Muslim Veil In Public

France is moving toward a ban on wearing face-covering Islamic veils in public, with the government set to examine a draft bill next month amid heated debate over women’s rights and religious freedom. (4/21/10 Reuters, Emmanuel Jarry) … Read Article

1. Discuss why President Sarkozy and many in France support a ban on  women wearing the burqa in public.

2. Discuss the constitutionality of banning the Muslim veil in public in France.

Digital Privacy: Unmasking The Myths

Every time we hitch our lives to these digital wagons, we leave a trail of information that, for good or for ill, marks every twist and turn we take in the electronic frontier. (12/30/2008 ABC News, Leslie Harris) … Read Article

1. Discuss the “Fact” of the “Myth” that says “As long as a Web site has a privacy policy all your data on that site is protected.”

2. Discuss the “Fact” of the “Myth” that says “Privacy laws protect all your online transactions from misuse by companies.”