Pass Ed's Living Textbook
Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
Alpha Stage
Free Lesson Plans for Teachers
Alpha Stage
MSNBC and other news organizations reporting that yesterday the
United States House of Representatives voted to give President Bush,
and obviously his representatives, authority to listen to/read telephone
conversations or emails made between a person on American territory
and a person outside this territory, without a warrant.
The article reports that:
Under the measure, the president would be authorized to conduct such
wiretaps if he:
A. Notifies the House and Senate intelligence committees and
congressional leaders
B. Believes an attack is imminent and later explains the reason and
names the individuals and groups involved.
C. Renews his certification every 90 days.
The Senate now takes up action on the legislation. House and Senate
leaders do not believe that they will be able to draft a final resolution
before the November break.
Read a related article!!
Discussion Starters
- With younger children it might be interesting to ask them if
they think it's ok to listen in on a conversation between two
people, in general. Encourage them to share their opinions.
Then ask the children if it's ok to listen in on a conversation
between two people if the two people are planning on hurting
somebody else and the reason that you are listening in is to
prevent the other person from being hurt?
- According to the current interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
law enforcement officials are not allowed to eavesdrop on
conversations without a warrant. However, now the House of
Representatives is saying that they can listen in on these
conversations if they believe that the security of the United
States is at risk and the conversation takes place across national
borders. Ask students to write a persuasive argument, perhaps
blog a persuasive argument, as to whether or not they believe
that law enforcement officials should have this authority. Since
the Senate has not yet taken up this issue, you might invite
students to send their letters to your senators.
- If you live outside the United States is this decision by the
American government any of your concern? Are decisions
made by European nations important to U.S. Citizens?
Why/why not? It might be really interesting to have a virtual
conversation with a class in another country on this topic.
Epals.com is a great source for finding partner classes.
- The government of the United States of America was founded
on the principles that individual rights are sacred. Individuals
should not be deprived of their rights without due cause and
process for any reason. Other nations, such as China, believe
that society as a whole is far more important than any
particular individual. Therefore, if it's to the advantage of
society in China individuals can be deprived of their rights. Ask
your students to draw a comic strip in which they explore
these two different perspectives. Ask students if they think that
one form of government is better than the other? Why?
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| Wiretapping August 18, 2006 |