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Alpha Stage
Here's the Pork
March 20, 2007







The Washington Post is running an article entitled, "War Bill Includes
Tempting Projects." The subtitle reads, "Democrats' Tactic Poses
Dilemma for Some Lawmakers."

The article begins, "House Democratic leaders are offering billions in
federal funds for lawmakers' pet projects large and small to secure
enough votes this week to pass an Iraq funding bill that would end the
war next year."

It continues, "..at least a few Republicans and conservative Democrats
who otherwise would vote "no" remain undecided, as they ponder
whether they can leave on the table millions of dollars for constituents
by opposing the $124 billion war funding bill due for a vote on
Thursday."

Read the article!!


Discussion-Starters for Younger Children

  • Encourage your students to think about their favorite park (or
    playground). If they could improve the park in one way, what
    would they do? Why?
  • Students could draw a picture of the park, showing how
    they would adapt it.

  • Ask your students to imagine that somebody offered to buy
    them a toy that they'd always wanted. But in order to get the
    toy they would have to eat a food that they really disliked every
    day for a week. Would they make this agreement? Why/why
    not?
  • Consider using a T-Chart to discuss the pros and cons
    of this scenario. Help students understand that when
    making decisions it's important to consider pros and
    cons.

  • Assume that the food is not an important part of a healthy diet,
    do your students think that it would be fair for somebody to
    make this type of an offer? Why/why not?

  • Tell your students to imagine that they wanted somebody to do
    something (such as play a game with them) that they didn't
    really want to do. What would they do to try and convince the
    other person to do this thing? Why would they do this?
  • Students could develop skits in response to this scenario.

  • Do your students think that it's important to give things to other
    people? Why/why not? If they do think it's important to give,
    what kinds of things is it important to give? Why?
  • Students could make lists of things that it's important to
    give. Help them recognize that in addition to giving
    physical things they can also give things that people
    can't see, such as love and friendship.

Discussion-Starters for Older Students

  • Vocabulary terms to discuss: Staunch; Extraneous; Caustic;
    and, Flagrant.

  • Do your students think it's appropriate to include funding for
    domestic projects in legislation that is largely designed to end
    the war in Iraq next year? Why/why not? Should one's answer
    to this question be determined by whether or not he/she think
    that the war should end? Why/why not?
  • This prompts could make for a useful class debate. You
    could post this quotation from Machiavelli, or others, on
    the board before the debate begins: "Of mankind we
    may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and
    greedy of gain."

  • Ask your students to imagine that they are advisors to Rep.
    Charles Boustany Jr. According to this article, Boustany has
    worked hard to "secure federal funds to prevent salt water
    from intruding on rice fields in his lowland Louisiana district."
    Though Boustany is opposed to limiting American involvement
    in Iraq at this time, the legislation earmarks $15 million to
    protect rice farms. Should the congressman support the
    legislation? Why/why not?
  • Students could write memos to Rep. Boustany in
    response to these question. They could even email the
    memos to him.

  • Do your students think that the United States Congress should
    pass a bill to end funding for the Iraq war next year? Why/why
    not? Ask your child(ren) to speculate on the consequences,
    both good and bad, of passing this bill.
  • Consider asking students to imagine that the year is
    2010. The legislation has passed. They are presenting a
    news commentary on the effects of the legislation. What
    would they say?
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