Monday, April 22, 2013

Chechnya in the News


(From US Government Teachers Blog)

With the Boston Marathon bombers having brought attention to Chechnya it might be a good time for AP Comparative students to revisit the area since it is certainly fair game for the AP exam on the 14th of May and the interest in the bombing make make it easier to remember. Here is a NYTimes article by Peter Baker who used to be stationed in Russia.

Old Media vs. New Media (Youdia) in Boston Marathon Bombing

 
 
Lots of Sweet Tweets in a Civil Society
 
Chris Wolak Chris Wolak@ChrisWolak121h
 
Sophia GoldschmidtSophia Goldschmidt@soph_gold20h
shout out to the person who took this picture
 
Embedded image permalink
 
 


"As Nigeria goes, so goes sub-Saharan Africa"

If only it could become a hit.

Before Bono started the ONE campaign in the United States, the oranization formed was called DATA:

DD ebt
A ids/hiv
T rade
A id effectiveness, development assistance
https://www.one.org/us/issues/
In your group, you will take ONE of these issues a prepare a short presentation on why this is the number ONE issue facing Sub-Saharan Africa.

Crumbs From Your Table -- Poverty Assignment Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqMxAw49-sc Poverty Message, One, at United Center 2005 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6SSjAny7_M&feature=related

Comic relief for those with some Nigerian knowledge


On his blog, Ken Wedding found this clip from the Onion News Network in 2007. I'm posting it here for any of you who feel unsure about anything about Nigeria before we get started next week, know that you are not alone.

I hope you enjoy the humor, and understand that you will be more knowledgeable than most Americans -- at least about one topic by the time we get done

It's a satire of Sunday morning panel discussion shows where the panelists who have no idea what's going on in Nigeria, are expected to carry on a discussion anyway. One of the panelists quickly looks up Niger on his Blackberry and proceeds to describe Nigeria as a country whose economy is dependent on cattle exports. Later, panelists begin to argue about the merits of Nigerian leaders they've never heard of. (The moderator isn't always much more knowledgeable than the panelists.)

Nigeria at 50 (1960-2010)



Watch Part I above and Part II linked below and comment on your prediction of Nigeria's future.

Nigeria State of Independence Part 2 of 2

“Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you have not committed.”


~ Anthony Powell

Nigeria at 50: She's a bit too temperamental for me

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Iran Election 2013: Reformists out (or in, prison), cleavage comes from inside


Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the media after presenting his identification papers to cast his ballot in the parliamentary election in Tehran March 2, 2012. REUTERS/Caren Firouz


As Reuters reports there is a political cleavage leading up to the Iranian presidential election in June. But it's coming from the inside of the political elites, not the reformist movement candidates. "Reformists are unlikely to get a look in. Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who ran against Ahmadinejad in a 2009 election they denounced as rigged, languish under house arrest."

Read this article and comment your thoughts here.

Analysis: Khamenei mobilizes loyalists to swing Iran's election

____________________________

Also, from last year a post on the IMF urging sanctions against Iran to be lifted. Do you agree?

Despite Western sanctions that have been leveled on Iran as far back as the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and increasingly due to the recent lack of transparency of its nuclear program, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank still subsidize the Iranian economy. And prior to the IMF's spring meetings in Washington, the head of the IMF praised Iranian economic reforms and expressed hope that Western sanctions would be lifted.

(From Press TV and The Economist)

Managing director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the economic reforms carried out by the Iranian government in recent years, especially the Subsidy Reform Plan, have been positive and constructive.

In a meeting with Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mahmoud Bahmani on the sidelines of semiannual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, Christine Lagarde expressed hope that Western sanctions against Iran's central bank would be lifted.

Lagarde also indicated her concern about the fluctuations in global oil prices and their impact on the world economic growth, Fars News Agency reported on Sunday.

Bahmani, for his part, pointed to the most important economic developments resulting from fluctuation in oil prices which have affected oil consumer countries.

He also discussed the implementation of the Subsidy Reforms Plan in Iran, value-added tax, structural reforms in the banking system, and the impact of oil price fluctuations on global economy with Lagarde.
Bahmani said Iran, as a founding member of both the IMF and World Bank, has had good financial and monetary relations with these international bodies and expects IMF to continue its support for all member states, especially founding members.
Bahmani also pointed to the destructive impact of Iran oil sanctions on the world economy and explained its effect on global economic growth and inflation, especially in view of the ongoing financial crisis in Europe.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/237550.html
 
 
___________________________

Sanctions Against Iran

Should the IMF and the World Bank be giving subsidies to Iran, if sovereign nations of the UN have sanctions against them?
 
 

Friday, April 19, 2013

How Iran is Ruled


How Iran is Ruled

Remember, your Iran Quiz was supposed to be due on Friday.... so either bring it to class on Monday, or e-mail to me this weekend.

Study the graphic (click to embiggen). You will see it on your test.

BBC Country Profile: Iran

Keeping the Basiji employed

(This Re-Run post from 2010)

In the summer between the last Iranian election and the next, the social conservatives remind everyone who is in charge. The Washington Post reports:

Iranian authorities step up arrests of women for 'immodest' dress

Iranian authorities have begun police patrols in the capital to arrest women wearing clothes deemed improper. The campaign against loose-fitting veils and other signs of modernism comes as government opponents are calling for rallies to mark the anniversary of the disputed presidential election, and critics of the crackdown say it is stoking feelings of discontent.

But hard-liners say that improper veiling is a "security issue" and that "loose morality" threatens the core of the Islamic republic.

Iran's interior minister has promised a "chastity plan" to promote the proper covering "from kindergarten to families," though the details are unclear. Tehran police have been arresting women for wearing short coats or improper veils and even for being too suntanned. Witnesses report fines up to $800 for dress considered immodest…

When seminary student Fatemeh Delvari, 24, moved to Tehran from a provincial town eight months ago, she was shocked to see how some women dressed.

"My own veil oppresses my feminine side, so I can be free and active," she said of her black chador, a garment that covers the entire body except the face and hands. "But some women seem to be only interested in looking beautiful."

"They are trampling on social boundaries," Delvari said. "Violence is not good, but they should be punished."…
_______________

Thanks to Armeeta (Class of 2010) for sending this piece on Banned Barbies in Iran. Basically it talks about the Iranian government's attempts to deter American and Western values in Iran and the effects of this on the younger generation:

"In an attempt to deter the influence of Western culture in their country, Iranian government officials have banned the import of Barbie dolls and several other American-branded toys. Adeline Masquelier, professor of anthropology at Tulane, understands the government’s reasoning behind the ban, but says it may result in unintended consequences.
...

Masquelier says the “over-sexed image resulting from Barbie’s exposed hair, bright lipstick and non-traditional career roles played a significant role in the government’s decision.” Barbie’s rack of clothing, which includes mini skirts and midriff-baring tops, also is an affront to officials who enforce the wearing of traditional garments such as the hijab or chador by Muslim women.

“In places like Iran where these dress codes are enforced, people are living two lives — the life the government wants them to live and a life that includes other things like watching banned shows via satellite,” Masquelier says. “There are actually more bloggers per capita in Iran because it’s a way to escape reading only what the government releases in its news.”

The Home Stretch



As we hit the home stretch to the May 14 high stakes tests, the first one to answer in the comment section on this post the answer to the question: "What is Horse Race Journalism?" will win a prize to be presented on Monday.

You should watch to the two posted flipped videos here. Above, Imam Khomeini - The Man Who Changed The World | Iran & The West. Also, extra credit available for watching ARGO and writting a summary that ties the film to our current study of Iran. Below,  Griding Poverty in Oil-Rich Niger Delta. Given the country's vast oil reserves, Nigerians should theoretically be among the wealthiest populations in the world. But for the people of the Niger Delta poverty, conflict and corruption are a daily reality.

You will have a take-home exam on Iran, Nigeria and other second semester final given on 5/1, due on 5/6. You may want to check out the College Board Briefing papers on Nigeria and Iran.

Briefing Paper - Iran PDF document

Briefing Paper - Nigeria PDF document


Practice Exams (10 EC points a piece) will be given on the following dates/times:
US #1 -- Wednesday, 5/1 -- 6 pm

Comp #1 -- Friday, 5/3 -- 2:45 pm

US #2 -- Tuesday, 5/7 -- 2:45 pm

Comp #2 -- Thursday, 5/9 -- 6 pm

AP Comparative Review Site (thank you Mr. Sergio Sanchez)


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

F-word Senate again: Minority defeats majority on gun amendments


We mentioned the other day, that it had appeared there was a "breakthrough" in the Senate that there would be able to be debate and an up or down vote on the gun control bill and its nine amendments. But the reporting on the vote of cloture was not that simple.

The gun amendments needed 60 votes to pass. But why?

But, why does the background check amendment — and the other eight amendments that will be offered — need 60 votes rather than a simple majority? The answer is a combination of Senate procedure and the complex politics of guns.

The vote on the so-called Manchin-Toomey amendment was 54 in favor, 46 against — failing to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to move ahead. Four Republicans supported it, and four Democrats voted no.

A controversial Democratic plan to ban dozens of military-style assault weapons was also defeated by a vote of 40 to 60.

The votes were a setback for President Obama, who angrily blasted Republicans for defeating the background check compromise, saying, “The gun lobby and its allies willfully lied about the bill.”

“All in all, this was a pretty shameful day for Washington,” Obama said, promising that “this effort is not over.”

A number of other amendments also failed to earn the 60 votes necessary to pass: A GOP proposal including a number of changes, 52 to 48; a bipartisan amendment to stiffen penalties for “straw purchasers,” 58 to 42; a GOP-backed amendment that would have permitted “national reciprocity” of state-issued concealed carry permits, 57 to 43; a GOP plan to extend gun rights for veterans, including those deemed unable to manage their financial affairs, 56-44; and a Democratic amendment to limit the size of ammunition magazines, 54-46.

The raw emotion of the background check amendment defeat played out in the Senate gallery just after Vice President Biden read the vote count in his capacity as Senate president.

“Shame on you!” at least two women were heard shouting.

As they were escorted from the Capitol, Patricia Maisch and Lori Haas said they shouted in anger. Maisch successfully knocked a large ammunition magazine out of the hands of Jared Loughner in Jan. 2011 after he shot former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and other bystanders.

“They are an embarrassment to this country, that they don’t have any compassion or care for people who have been taken brutally from their families,” Maisch said as officers attempted to remove her from the building. “I hate them,” she said of the senators.

Guns Don't Kill; they just make it easier.“We’re sick and tired of the death in this country and these legislators stand up there and think it’s a bunch of numbers,” said Haas, whose daughter, Emily, was wounded in the April 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech.

“It’s a shame, it’s appalling, it’s disgusting,” she added.

U.S. Capitol police also arrested a protester for carrying a loaded gun on the Capitol grounds hours before the vote. Police identified the man as Alan Hoyle, 52, of North Carolina and recommended that he be charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition, said Officer Shennell S. Antrobus, a spokesman.

The chief architects of the plan to expand the national gun background check system, Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.) and Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.), acknowledged in interviews early Wednesday that their proposal lacked sufficient support.

In a fired-up Rose Garden speech, President Obama, who tried to use his Bully Pulpit to lead to the bi-partisan compromise of Sen. Manchin (D) and Toomey (R), shared with the American people his frustration with the fact that the necessity of compromise and majority vote in the U.S. Senate seem to be losing positions.



Remembering Thatcher: Dialogue can get nasty in civil societies

Wednesday former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was laid to rest.
 
(The BBC reports)
 
The Queen has led mourners in St Paul's Cathedral at the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, Britain's longest serving prime minister of modern times.


Lady Thatcher
More than 2,000 dignitaries from around the world paid their last respects at the biggest such occasion since the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002.

Lady Thatcher's coffin was carried through streets lined by mourners and members of the three armed forces.

PM David Cameron said it was a "fitting tribute" to a major figure.

Margaret Thatcher: Queen leads mourners at funeral

Remember "Thatcherism" led to a privitazation of many aspects of the UK Welfare State.

That legacy has been remembered in the past few days, in much less flattering terms by protests and music played on BBC 1: As Teaching Comparative posted on Friday:

While many people have been making a point of saying nice, or at least kind things about Margaret Thatcher, others have been working to point out how divisive she was as a political leader.

There's an organized attempt to get enough people to buy the song, "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," so it will be played on the BBC radio Top 40 countdown.

Will anyone in Russia do anything similar when Gorbachev dies? Was there any protest when Mao Zedong died?

BBC to play Ding Dong in chart show despite anti-Thatcher Facebook push

BBC Radio 1 is planning to play "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead," the Wizard of Oz track being bought by anti-Thatcher protesters in the wake of the former prime minister's death, on its chart show on Sunday.

However, in what is thought to be a first for the BBC chart show, the corporation is considering having a Newsbeat reporter explain why a song from the 30s is charting to Radio 1's target audience of 16- to 24-year-olds – none of whom will remember Margaret Thatcher's controversial premiership…

The Official Charts Company said on Thursday morning that "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" was on course to reach number four, up from 10 the previous day…

Radio 1 insiders said if the song does make it to the top five, there would be no reason not to play the track.

However, it is understood The Official Chart Show presenter Jameela Jamil might have to invite a reporter from Radio 1's Newsbeat to explain to listeners why a track they are unlikely to be familiar with has charted.

"Among the 16- to 24-year-olds, a lot of people are saying they are not 100% sure who Thatcher is. Even though this seems extraordinary, they may not understand who that song would chart," said a BBC source…

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Citizen U tees off review tournament season


How bout a Masters AP American Gov pre (re) view?

(From CitizenU)
Do you want to MASTER American Government and Politics? Look no further. Your perfect course is here. The APGA MASTER Tournament is here for you. Check out our 2013 preview and consider how you might overcome another major tournament. FOUR! With a little more practice try yelling FIVE!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Is Islam Compatible with Democracy?

Infographic: Iran's Supreme Leader

Use the sources to answer the question
Is Islam Compatible with Democracy?

Take notes on the YES | NO t-chart (cite your source)

New York Times
6 op/ed pieces (cite them as NYT1, NYT2, etc.)

National Geographic
(cite as NatGeo)
 
I will give you YES/NO t-chart on Wednesday. This assignment will be due Friday (4/19).

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Can the Islamic Republic of Iran survive in the Modern World?


We will watch more about Neda in class on Monday. The song is called Neda by Airborne Toxic Event. If you're interested in learning more about Neda, HBO Films produced a documentary called For Neda. Its available on Netflix.


Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BCE). Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BCE. UNESCO declared the citadel of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979.
 
Persepolis 2.0 is about the 2009 election. Persepolis was a graphic novel and film about the 1979 Revolution.
 
Comment here on what you know, and what you want to know about our study of Iran, or Persia.

Officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ایران‎, Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān), is a country in Western Asia.[10][11][12] The name "Iran", which in Persian means "Land of the Aryans", has been in native use since the Sassanian era, in antiquity. It came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia (pron.: /ˈpɜrʒə/ or /ˈpɜrʃə/).[9][13] Both "Persia" and "Iran" are used interchangeably in cultural contexts; however, "Iran" is the name used officially in political contexts.

____________________

Even in our advanced, liberal democracy however, there is suppression of words and thought. But one where "We the People" using political efficacy can get the upper hand. Read here what happened last month when the Marjane Satrapi 2003 graphic novel about the Iranian Revolution removed from some Chicago public schools over concerns of the depiction of torture.

Read More: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/03/19/persepolis-banning-controversy-improved-sales-video/#ixzz2QSKAOLtX
 

As American as Chinese Food?



(From AP Gov.org)

So in China, they eat more KFC than we do here, but we eat more Chinese than they do.

Typically, we say, "as American as Apple Pie." Jennifer Lee asks the question, "Do you eat Chinese food or Apple Pie more often?"

Another gem in this TED talk, Fortune Cookies, invented by the Japanese, popularized by the Chinese, perfected by the Americans. Globalization at work.

Focus at 1:45 mark to see Chinese people trying to figure out what a Fortune Cookie is.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Political Efficacy must trump Washington Politics and Special Interests


I usually try to avoid getting on my political Soap Box here. But it may be the only way to move this F-Word (filibuster) Senate to do something on common sense gun control. Critics of President Obama sometimes say he leads from behind. I might say he has the "bully pulpit" to help "We the 90% of American People," to force the Congress to pass a law that can help stop the madness. Would the Senate have voted for cloture (60 votes needed) to end the filibuster (minority side members block of debate or vote on a piece of legislation, if these citizens didn't come to Washington to personally read off 3300 names of people killed by gun violence since Sandy Hook?

There still has been no legislation passed by either the Senate or the House, but it is time for regular citizens to use political efficacy to make sure something gets done.

 
 

You can make your voice heard by joining the White House call for action on social media. Here's how it works:

  1. Sign on to share a tweet or Facebook message through our action page here: wh.gov/nowisthetime/action
  2. We'll gather as many voices as we can, then post all the messages and tweets simultaneously for maximum impact
  3. The more people who sign up, the louder our collective voice will be, so after you sign on, encourage your friends and family to participate.
Now's the Time

Friday, April 12, 2013

Suffrage @17: Teenage citizens break through legislative gridlock!

From my friend and colleaque Andy Conneen at Stevenson High School -- one of the 2 teachers that provide excellent AP gov video reviews.


Who said anything about legislative gridlock?!?

Yesterday we filed Suffrage @ 17 language on HB226. Now we have 7 co-sponsors (5 Dems and 2 GOP) and are told that we need to testify for the House's Executive Committee by Monday (4/15) afternoon.

The great news is that you and/or your students can do this easily online by simply indicating that you support HFA1 (our Suffrage @ 17 amendment on HB226) on the IL General Assembly website.
Here's the GA site

Section I: The system requires an entry for Firm, Business or Agency. Then a title.

Your school name and reference as a teacher or student would be appropriate here.

Section II Representation: This section does not need to be completed.


Section III: You'll be asked to take a position.

Indicate "No position on Merits" for Original Bill.
Indicate "Proponent" for HFA1

IV Testimony: Select "Record of Appearance Only." This means your names will be read to the committee as proponents of the amendment that contains the Suffrage @ 17 language.

The form then just has to be completed with the passwords provided and the standards box checked. Then click "Create (Slip)"

It's that simple, but it needs to be done by Monday afternoon.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

LDCs/NICs/Mexico Study Guide



The above video (2010) highlights the federal state, and judicial review in Mexico, upholding same-sex marriage in Mexico City. As in the US, in Mexico, the upper level courts are primarily appellette courts. The Supreme Court (11 justices) can declare laws and governmental actions unconstitutional by a vote of eight or more of the judges. The high court also upheld a state law (only seven rulled against) in the state of Baja California that says life begins at connception.

Mexico Upholds State Right to Life Law

Wednesday's  multiple choice test will cover Ch.11 and 16 in Hauss, packet readings and power point notes (which can be accessed on the Google Docs page)

Terms to KnowPresidente Fox/President Bush on boarder policy

LDC/NICs compare and contrast
WTO/NAFTA effects on Mexico
Mexican independence
Constitution of 1917 – similarities differences with U.S. Constitution
Presidents and Generals of Mexico till mid-20th Century
Mexican legislature – format and characteristics
Political Parties – PAN, PRI, PRD place on political spectrum
Sexenio presidency
Federal Election Commission
Political Efficacy in Mexico
Technicos
Politicos
Mestizos
Maquiladoras
Patron-client relations (camarillas)
Corruption
Para-statal sector
compressed modernityPEMEX
Mexico’s policy of structural adjustment under Fox/Calderon
Economy/Immigration as a political issue
Narco War as a political issue
Mexican trade with U.S./U.S. Trade with Mexico
Mexican civil service
Charicteristics of Mexican civil society, political culutre and beauracracy
Mexico by comparative economic sectors
Camarillas
Politcal cleavages in Mexico
Judicial Review in Mexico?
Narco War and the legitimacy of the State
Mexicans living in the U.S. and the effects on both countries
Presidente Calderon on private investment of state oil/electricity
2012 Presidential candidate positions


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Who's winning in Mexico?

Media Conference Call: Jorge Castañeda and Shannon O'Neil on Nieto and U.S.-Mexico Relations - Council on Foreign Relations




Listen to the media conference call linked above from the Council on Foreign Relations and comment here on what you learned, plus who wins our debate similation and why. I will collect all written material from debate on Monday, when we will finish the simulation -- after a slow start, a solid effort on Friday.



Compare the murder rate and body count of each Mexican state against entire countries with our interactive equivalents map (from The Economist)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Week Ahead: This week's study of Mexico


To prepare for next week (test on Mexico 4/10), you will need to use the Youdia.....But no "Mexting" as the Onion News Network satirically hightlighted above.

Wed. 4/3 -- Get assigned candidates/party for group debate. Go over Mexico 2013 notes. Power Point posted on Google Docs page.

Thur. 4/4 -- Quiz on terms from Mexico 2013 power point and "Mexico is Making It" article. Bring in notecards and prepare researched talking points promoting your candidate/party. 

Sometime between Now and Wed. 4/10 -- Flipped dual video lesson. We started  "Maquila: A Tale of Two Mexicos" in c lass on Monday, finish viewing along with BBC's 2010 Mexico's Drug War and complete film guide.






Friday, 4/5 -- Group Presidential/Party debate

Monday, 4/8 -- Mexico Group Blog/Thought Hive presentation. Your Mexico quiz (BBC country profile linked below) due.

Tuesday, 4/9 -- No School, Local School Board Elections.... Vote & Study!

Wednesday, 4/10 -- Mexico MC test (Ch. 11 @ 16, plus packet readings)

It would be helpful to check out these supplementals.

Mexican Constituion of 1917
Note Constitutional Connections of US Principles

CollegeBoard Briefing Paper: Mexico
It's long but gives you more than enough info you need to know

BBC Country Profile
Your Mexico Quiz will be due on Wednesday

Continue the book chat here

Thanks to Nadia, John and Dale for leading the book discussions today. Your 3-point blog post reflection on what you learned from the chat needs to be posted here in the comment section.

Jan Wong On Her Years in China

Who Killed Anna Politkovskaya?