Judicial Activism

Here is one expert's opinion on why judicial activism might be a good thing.

Bill Clinton Impeachment

Bill Clinton, our 42nd President was impeached by the House and acquitted of the charges by the Senate.  For some background on the case, please read this timeline about the events that led up to the impeachment and the results of it.

Also, watch these video releases that President Clinton made regarding the case.

January 28, 1998 - Bill Clinton's Remarks about the Monica Lewinsky Scandal

August 17, 1998 - Bill Clinton Admits to Having an Inappropriate Relationship with Monica Lewinsky

Incumbent Advantage

Here are the lyrics to "Incumbent Advantage," the awesome chart topper that will be stuck in your head forever, just like incumbents are in their elected offices.

Verse 1 - Safe Seats
I’m in D.C., I make the laws.
I’m a Congressman and I got no flaws.
I’m trying hard to keep my job.
I got my seat, it’s really safe.
Ain’t no one else gonna kick me out.
My victory is…predictable.
Whoa.

Chorus:
Our Congressmen…It’s hard to get them out.
They sure have a lot of clout.
They’ll be there forever…forever
They’ll be there forever…forever
Whoa, whoa, incumbent advantage, incumbent advantage (x2)

Verse 2 - Franking Privilege
With tax dollars, I send the mail
Gotta tell all how great I am
I use the franking privilege
Whoa.
Whatever I do
The camera’s come
Journalists love to print my name
My face covers…the TV screen.
Whoa.

Chorus

You hate Congress, but you love me.
There are advantages to incumbency

Chorus

Verse 3 - Experience/Franking Privilege
Been here before
Know where I am
Everyone here knows my name
I’m an old dog with old tricks
Able to go anywhere
People can’t resist my fame
I know for sure I’ll get your vote.
Whoa.

Verse 4 - Influence legislation/Earmarks
Incumbents give us benefits
Like social security and internships.
They care for us to get our votes.
We ask for things like repaired roads.
Our incumbents stumble over themselves.
They use their spending on earmarks.
Whoa.

Verse 5 - Experience, media
I got my seat
It’s really safe
My constituents have got my back
The media is watching me
I’m experienced
In campaigning
And in the office as well.
My victory is…predictable.
Whoa.

Verse 6 - Staffs
I’ve got the seat
I’m riding my fame
No stress or worries can bring me down
My staff insures all my claims

This is all to the tune of "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons.  The music video can be found below:

We the People, and the Republic We Must Reclaim

Here is the TED talk we watched in class today.  I think it deserves revisiting from time to time.

11 Excellent Reasons Not to Vote?

Some good reasons why you should vote.

Obama's Speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Watch this video in connection to the article we read in class (available here).

Weekly Current Events Quiz

Here's a fun challenge: beat Mr. Stoddard on the current events quiz!

Here's what you need to do:

1. Click on the following link and then click on the link to the most current quiz (this week's is titled Weekly News Quiz | Sept. 9-15, 2014): http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/news-quiz/weekly-news-quiz/
2. Take the quiz.
3. When you are finished, take a screenshot of your score and email it to me at gstoddard@apamail.org.**  If you're not sure how to take a screenshot, click here.

Remember that the screenshot needs to be emailed to me by 11:59 tonight!  Good luck!

**Please write "Weekly News Quiz - [the week of the quiz] in the subject line of your email.  This week's will be "Weekly News Quiz - Sept. 9-15, 2014."  Also, make sure that you identify yourself in some way in the email (if you're using your apastudents.org account, your email address will be enough).