Civilian Casualties

Do you think bombing cities/civilians during wartime is a fair/justifiable act? Why or why not?

In today's world, where nuclear weapons are flaunted and even threatened by countries. With over 9 countries known for their weapons, what happens if these are used? Thousands of civilians will be killed for one, and many people believe this is inhumane and ludicrous. I think that, even though many would go against it, that civilian casualties are a part of war and can't be stopped. With this said, I think that it isn't right under some conditions. Places who provoke an attack on other countries (i.e. Germany & Japan) are perfect places where civilian casualties would be a tool to help end the war against tyrannical dictators and conniving governments. The atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, for example, were perfectly justified. On the other hand, attacks against a neutral country (i.e. Belgium, France, United States), are completely unfair and against any laws ever created. Attacks on the World Trade Center, and also Pearl Harbor, were huge hits to the United States and was never, in any circumstances, justified.

The argument between bombing civilians is very clear, but hard to dispute. It has to be done in an individual case, and I don't think any one person can actually answer it.

The Great Depression

In an effort to learn firsthand what it was like to live during the Great Depression, write ten questions that you might ask someone who lived through it.

How many people committed suicide?
What was it like living in a Hooverville?
What was the presidents reaction to the stock market crash?
How many people actually got laid off?
Did people ever get kicked out of freight trains?
Where did soup kitchens get all their soup?
How much money did the government spend to get people back into a normal economy?
What happened to the rich people?
How many people died from starvation?
Did necessary jobs, such as doctors and firefighters, get laid off too?

Homer vs. 18th Amendment

The Simpson's are known for fictional humor, and very intense parodies, but with this episode that including the Prohibition from 1920, it really showed that they knew what they were writing about. The creators included the idea of drunken fighting, and how the government/society dealt with it. They included the actual 18th amendment, and the repercussions from it such as the speakeasies, cops illegally drinking, and illegal mob trading. The accuracy of these complete overshadow the fictional humor in the episode. I enjoyed this episode, and thought it was a good representation of what the Prohibition era was in the United States, even if it made it really funny.

If I were to be one of the producers of The Simpson's, I would add the face that the government fully endorsed it. They didn't really show any form of authority except the judges who said the bill was passed/rejected. It would have made it a lot more accurate if they made a judge scene where someone tried to reject the bill but they argued that the Prohibition is a way of getting a good name among other parts of the world, and that they want to be the model city. This would be an allusion to what the government wanted from the Prohibition act, a good name and clean people.

Civil Liberties During a Time of War

Civil liberties should never be limited during a time of war in my opinion. Our rights should never be touched unless we commit some sort of crime and get arrested. At no other time should these rights be taken away. I think that everyone has the right to criticize anything the government says, and with the Sedition Acts, it takes these right away. Not only that but it complete steps on the first amendment,which is delectably the best and well-known amendment in the bill of rights.

Today, this would never happen. People can make fun of the government in public form, even movies and book, and get in no trouble whatsoever. I think this is an amazing thing to have because a lot of countries don't allow this. Some people take this for granted, but I think everyone eventually realizes the worth of having the right to say whatever they want, and the fact that it will never be taken away.

THE SPANISH ARE AT IT AGAIN!

Cuba and Spanish are our current worst enemies and they KEEP digging themselves a bigger hole with each treat. Ever since the dreaded "de Lome letter", the Spanish seem to be in the spotlight of the United States. But, they are at it again and this time its so much worse. Now, you can't even be a sailor and safe from Spain's wrath. Normal everyday people are at risk, and we have to stop them.

The U.S.S. Maine was a US ship that sailed around, causing no harm whatsoever. Cuba, seeing this as an easy target went ahead and attacked, giving no warning or anything. All 250 people on the ship died. Think about their families, and what the Spanish people did to them. They have to be stopped. There is no choice now, but to declare war.

McKinley on the other hand? Still debating on what we should do. Cuba is currently stocking up, rebelling against Spain whose constantly messing with the Cubans and killing them, putting in concentration camps, etc. Thanks McKinley, I guess they can just have this happen and not help. We helped with a dispute in South America and now that this is a world issue, you hesitate. We needs to stand together and unite against the Spanish. Down with Spain, Remember the Maine.