A trip to the Malden Police Station

I really enjoyed this trip! My favorite part was seeing the dispatch part.  It was so cool to see things live and to see the heart of the station.  My grandfather was a Malden Police officer, so I enjoyed learning about and seeing the station for that reason too.  I learned a lot on this trip, but there were certain things that stuck out to me.  1) The cops see everything and will go to extremes to stop the threat.  2) Never judge cops, because they are some of the nicest people in my opinion, and 3) never use the blankets.

Brenton Butler

In this case, Butler was charged with murder, and signed a false conviction after being harassed by an Officer in Jacksonville Florida.  The Verdict said that he was not guilty and that Butler did not kill Mrs. Stephens.  Honestly I don't know if I agree with the verdict, because I never really believed 100 percent that he didn't commit the crime, especially after Mr. Stephens identified him.  I feel so so bad for Mr. Stephens, because he is left without resolution and without answers.

Obama's Executive Order

In Obama's speech on illegal immigration, he said he would be taking actions through executive orders., because congress hasn't passed any bills and he wanted to get things done.  The thing is, HE CAN'T DO THAT.  No where in the constitution does it state that he can allow 5 million undocumented immigrants to stay, come out of the shadows and get right with the law.  He doesn't have that power and it is not stated anywhere in the constitution.  It's vital that this doesn't go through and that he looses in court, because if he starts doing what ever he wants that can lead to huge problems and even a dictatorship.  This is not what the founding fathers had in mind and in their plans.

Dateline

In this episode of Dateline, it discussed how Christopher Tapp gave a false confession when he was questioned about the murder of Angie.  It was seen that through tapes, the detective would correct his answers and lead his answers a bit. When he is interviews at the end,, Ta says he only lied so that way he could give the detectives what they wanted and that he had nothing to do with the murder.  Personally I don't understand this because I would never give a false confession.  I can understand why people plea bargain, but this is a bit different to me. He gave a fake story..he didn't stop at yeah I did it.   I think his actions were incredibly foolish, and he is jail because of his own actions.  I think the detective may be a little at fault as well, because of the way he corrected Tapp's answers, but still I feel that it was Tapp's own fault why he ended up in jail for so long./

Grand Jury

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-vick-indicted-by-grand-jury/

This article discusses the indictment of Michael Vick.  The grand jury charged him with illegal dog fighting, and t was a federal issue as it went across state lines.  I agree with the decision, because he was unjust and wrong in his actions completely.  I would have voted with the jury.

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES HE WON!!!

https://twitter.com/CBSPolitics/status/529869251021398017/photo/1

Charlie Baker won the election for governor against Martha Coakley and I am very happy about it haha.  Around 830 it was a dead heat between the two, both with 48% of the vote and then at one point when I looked Coakley was in the lead..and I got so upset because I misread and thought she won.  I am happy to see Baker won, I think he will make MA a better state to live in and make the lives of MA people better than ever.

MHS Debate

I found the debate rather interesting, and I thought all of the questions asked were good ones, especially the question about lowering the voting age to sixteen.  I thought D'arkangelo was a great debater, even though he may have not have been everyone's favorite guy. I agree he went too far to say that the secretary of state was against those with a disability.  I understand you have to make the other people look bad but that was too far.  I also think he should have capitalized on the idea that he was from Malden.  I think if it were me debating in my hometown I would want to use that to my advantage.  When it comes to Gavin, I think he was too comfortable, which is wrong.  You should never just assume that you ar going to get the position because you have been there for 42 years.  Many believe change is good, and there are never any guarantees ,so he should have debated stronger.  Personally I feel 18 is a good voting age.  I think if it were lowered then people would abuse it and not take t as seriously as it should be taken.

Charlie "Scumbag" Stewart

This crime took place in Boston Massachusetts.  Charlie Stewart and his wife Carol Stewart, who was pregnant, were leaving Brigham and Women's hospital when Boston Police were called By Charlie, who had said he and his wife had been robbed and shot by a black man.  The police arrested and charged someone with the crime.  It was later discovered that Mr. Stewart had lied.  His brother came forward, and told police that his brother gave him the things he said were stolen, and it was discovered that he had lied to police and shot himself in effort to cover up the fact he shot his own wife, who died as well as the baby.  Stewart supposedly jumped off the Tobin bridge to his death.

Stewart is a scumbag.  How could he lie to police like that? Police could have spent their time better if they had known the truth and that man who was charged, his reputation must be ruined now all because of Stewart.  This shows that people lie to everyone, including police and it shows that police cant always go on the word of another.  It also shows that police need to do sufficient investigations, before charging someone.  I feel so bad for the family, and the falsely accused.

Ebola

This article is from CNN, and discusses the paranoia that is in the US because of Ebola.  In the article it is called "fearbola" actually, In the article it says how its rare to catch it, and that the number of confirmed cases in the US is small.  The author also gives examples of the fear people have, like when on person got sick on a flight and they had to stay in there bathroom for the rest of it.  Personally, I think its good to be on top of things, and to be aware.  If people brushed it off that would lead to more people getting it, and the problem getting worse. I also think its wrong to judge people who are afraid of it.  The disease is a frighting, fatal one.  People have reason to be afraid, and I feel its disrespectful to have a term like "fearboala"

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/20/health/ebola-overreaction/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

JFK Library Reflection

I really enjoyed the trip to JFK library! The main focus of my group was education, and how hard it is to go and pay for college, and then finding a job/career where it can be used.  Before this, I knew that college is expensive, (of course), but it was emphasized how education is needed to survive in the world because its  career that gives income/purpose in your life.  The argument was that if this is true, then college shouldn't be such an obstacle.  It should be much more manageable.  I wish I talked more, but listening to what others had to say was very beneficial and it open my eyes even more.  Going into the activity, I was for Baker and going out I am still for him, mostly because of his argument regarding the gas tax and his beliefs on small business.  He seems to be a great candidate for governor, and even his Representative seemed to make sense of his beliefs, more than Coakley's representative.  Overall Baker seems like the way to go.

Crime in the News

Jojo John was drunk and piloting a steamboat in the Hudson River when he crashed into a construction bridge.  In doing so he killed a bride to be and her fiance's best man.  He pleaded guility to two charges of vehicular manslaughter today in court.  Representatives say that it will be hard ot obtain justice in this case given the circumstances, but hope today's deposition eased the pain the families face a little bit.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/16/justice/new-york-hudson-river-boat-crash/index.html?hpt=ju_c1

9/11 Reflection

I thought the videos we watched in class were very moving.  We have all seen videos and footage of 9/11 before, as another year passes, but for me it still makes me feel emotional.  After taking Gov last year, I feel that I have a better understanding of the government, and I have an even deeper respect for our country than I did before.  That being said, its even more sad to see the footage.  Before now, I never saw the red handkerchief video, about Welles.  It is such an amazing story, and I feel so so bad for Welles' dad.  You can see how much he misses his son and his best friend, with all his heart, and it breaks my heart to see.  Honestly, I don't know how I would act if I were Welles.  I'd like to think I could do what he did, but its really hard for me to say.  Welles fits the description of a hero to a T. To me a hero is someone who sacrifices themselves for another, and puts themselves after someone else or in this case after 12 people.  Welles is such an amazing person, and I am so glad people are still hearing his story, and honoring him.  Heroes are never forgotten, and neither are the angels of 9/11.