Alyssa's Website Mission Statement
In an attempt to get a more firsthand look at history and prove that teenagers can communicate with more than 140 characters at a time, the AP Government Students will be creating and updating a website regarding the goings on of ancient history (oxymoron, anyone?).
In addition to helping us understand what we need to know beyond bubbles and fill-in-the-blanks, this website should also offer a sense of perspective into the minds of some of the greatest political thinkers of all time, like Jefferson and Washington, who had to slave away, pens in hand (replace pens with keyboards, I suppose) to create something, not knowing whether it would survive in glory or infamy.
Government is a difficult concept to study, much less to understand, but all too many people use this as an excuse to forfeit their right as an American citizen to vote- and to peacefully protest what they perceive as being unfair. The only way for a truly democratic government- one where everyone has a voice- to survive is for it to be made up of educated, passionate citizens who care enough to use it.
And as a final note, I refer you (my one-and-a-half readers) to the words of Chuck Lorre:
"It appears as if roughly half the people in this country think that they're in mortal danger from their own government. That's a lot of people sensing a lot of malice and threat. I worry that I don't see it. Sure, I see inefficiency and incompetence, but I've always seen that - regardless of which party's in office. And frankly, I've always welcomed it. I don't like my big bureaucracies to be cold, calculating, profit-making enterprises driven by a steely, clear-headed singular vision. A cursory glance through history would indicate that well-organized governments tend to enjoy well-organized parades, followed by well-organized ethnic cleansing. Which is why I celebrate the magnificent, muddle-headed ineptitude of our democracy. As far as I'm concerned, a little confusion and waste may keep the trains from running on time, but it also keeps people like me from getting a one-way ticket in a cattle car. Are our tax dollars being misspent on poorly run social programs? You bet! Do we get more buck for our bang at the local Post Office, Amtrak station, nuclear submarine or methadone clinic? Of course we do! But keep in mind that bureaucrats who can't find their ass with a flashlight and a hand mirror are not likely to find you either. To paraphrase Bobby McGee: "Freedom's just another word for who the hell's in charge here?!"
In addition to helping us understand what we need to know beyond bubbles and fill-in-the-blanks, this website should also offer a sense of perspective into the minds of some of the greatest political thinkers of all time, like Jefferson and Washington, who had to slave away, pens in hand (replace pens with keyboards, I suppose) to create something, not knowing whether it would survive in glory or infamy.
Government is a difficult concept to study, much less to understand, but all too many people use this as an excuse to forfeit their right as an American citizen to vote- and to peacefully protest what they perceive as being unfair. The only way for a truly democratic government- one where everyone has a voice- to survive is for it to be made up of educated, passionate citizens who care enough to use it.
And as a final note, I refer you (my one-and-a-half readers) to the words of Chuck Lorre:
"It appears as if roughly half the people in this country think that they're in mortal danger from their own government. That's a lot of people sensing a lot of malice and threat. I worry that I don't see it. Sure, I see inefficiency and incompetence, but I've always seen that - regardless of which party's in office. And frankly, I've always welcomed it. I don't like my big bureaucracies to be cold, calculating, profit-making enterprises driven by a steely, clear-headed singular vision. A cursory glance through history would indicate that well-organized governments tend to enjoy well-organized parades, followed by well-organized ethnic cleansing. Which is why I celebrate the magnificent, muddle-headed ineptitude of our democracy. As far as I'm concerned, a little confusion and waste may keep the trains from running on time, but it also keeps people like me from getting a one-way ticket in a cattle car. Are our tax dollars being misspent on poorly run social programs? You bet! Do we get more buck for our bang at the local Post Office, Amtrak station, nuclear submarine or methadone clinic? Of course we do! But keep in mind that bureaucrats who can't find their ass with a flashlight and a hand mirror are not likely to find you either. To paraphrase Bobby McGee: "Freedom's just another word for who the hell's in charge here?!"