Racism

1. What does the word racism mean to you?  What behaviors and attitudes does a racist person display?
Racism is discriminating or treating others differently based on their race.  Racist people might behave normally but keep their opinions to themselves.  Others voice their opinions by using racial slurs.  You can't tell a person is racist just by looking at them.

2. Do racist publications, such as song lyrics or Web sites, influence people's opinions and attitudes toward others?  How do they make you feel?
In my opinion, racist publications won't influence a person if they have already established their position on racism.  Racist publications are more likely to offend a person than to change their opinion on racism.  As a teenager, I don't mind racist publications, but I don't consider myself a racist.  I do feel uncomfortable when adults are around when there are racist publications, though.

State of Iowa v. Alex McGee

I would have found Alex innocent if I were a juror.  This case was very vague, but I don't think there was enough evidence to incriminate Alex.  He didn't have an alibi for the time the murders took place because Stan claimed he never saw him leave work that night and no one was there to see him arrive home.  Alex had to motive, capability, and opportunity to kill his wife and maid, but that doesn't necessarily mean he did.  He was a very small, nice guy so I don't think he would want to kill his wife.  He had reportedly been drinking the night of the murder (according to the testimony of his best friend), which may explain his strange behavior.  Alex may not be innocent, but he couldn't have been proved guilty with the evidence given.

Exclusionary Rule

The exclusionary rule says that evidence collected illegally or in violation of a person's constitutional rights may sometimes be used in court.  The Fourth Amendment says that we have the right to be secure and not be unreasonably searched.  It also says that there must be probable cause for a warrant.

If I have marijuana in my locker and the school does random locker checks with drug dogs and finds the marijuana, the evidence would be admissible.  The drug dogs provided probable cause to search my locker and the locker is school property.

2nd Amendment

In Iowa, you have to be 21 to carry a handgun and 18 to carry a rifle or shotgun.  You are not required to register or have a license, but a permit is necessary to carry a handgun.  You will also need a permit to purchase a handgun, but not a shotgun or rifle.  Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is prohibited, along with improper storage while handling.

Iowa's gun policy is pretty relaxed compared to most other states.  The D.C. v. Heller case ruled that people should have the right to have a firearm in their home.  People like to have a gun for security and self-defense.  I don't think this case has made much impact on Iowa gun laws.  The court ruled in favor of individual rights and Iowa's gun laws reflect that decision.

Abortion

I strongly feel that abortion should not be legal.  Most women are for abortion because they feel that they should have the right to control their own body.  But in the case of abortion, their body is not the one being controlled-- the baby's is.  Most people would argue that the fetus is not a human being, just a blob of tissue.  But life begins at conception.  If not at conception, then when does it technically become a child?  Sex is for the purpose of creating a child.  If you are mature enough to have sex, then you should be mature enough to accept the consequences-- pregnancy.


The 14th Amendment states, "Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."  This means that women have the right to abort their baby, right?  Technically yes, but what about the rights of the baby?  An unborn baby is a person just like you.

Miranda Rights for Students

Miranda rights apply to everyone,  including juveniles, or in this case, a student.  Occasionally, students will break the law while in school.  They may have drug paraphernalia or have done something illegal.  It's usually a serious matter that requires the involvement of the police.

When questioning a student, police officers are required to follow the Miranda principles.  School officials are not required to do so when there is possible criminal involvement.  For Miranda purposes, a juvenile interrogated in school will most likely be considered to be in custody.  A juvenile may also waive their Miranda rights, just as anyone else can.  Depending on the age of the student in question, the police officer may have to explain their rights, instead of just reading them, to ensure that they fully understand.
http://www.familyrightsassociation.com/info/law/all_about_miranda/Questioning%20of%20Juveniles.htm

Texas v. Johnson

I agree with the court rulings from the case of Texas v. Johnson.  He was found guilty of "desecrating the flag in violation of Texas law."  I believe that he had no right to burn the flag.  He was doing it in protest and the people were chanting: "America the red, white, and blue we spit on you."  Burning a flag is the method of disposing of it.
The Court of Criminal Appeals argued that Johnson's actions were protected by his First Amendment Rights.  They admitted that it was offensive, but argued that it was not a breach of the peace.  He was convicted for burning the flag, but not the words that he spoke. 
The government doesn't think that America's sign of freedom should be burned.