Depression 2009

I believe if history was to repeat itself, and there was a Great Depression happening now, it would look like an updated and less painful version of the 1920's Great Depression. Now of days, better improved technology is easily at our fingertips, which would help Americans get jobs, not stay out of work long if they were to get laid off, and allowing people to bring home money for their families for food, clothes, heating, electricity, hot water and etc. Also, now of days we have Social Security, FDIC, and other protections that protect the money we as American citizens put into the banks- and that we will be able to, somehow receive all of our money in return. As Social Security goes, as soon as a person reaches the age of 65 they are still able to receive their pensions despite the fact that the country may be in a recession or economic downturn. Also, American families seem to have a lot of stuff just laying around the house these days, junk and nic-nacs that could be sold for money if there was an economic downturn. Plus, if there ever was an economic depression as bad as the Great Depression, young people could learn that hard work always pays off, and jobs could be taken back by American citizens rather than being given to people in foreign countries, when the industry is here in our back yard. Thanks to many of the improvements and fantastic, uprising ideas of Franklin Roosevelt during the 1920's, it made it possible for the United States to never return to a economic depression as bad as the Great Depression. In conclusion, if the United States was in an economic depression similar to the Great Depression of 1929, it would not be exactly the same; and thanks to the improving technology and understanding of the economy itself, America would be able to get out of such an economic depression in less time.

Simpsons depiction of the 1920's

Part 1
In the Simpsons episode portraying life in the 1920's during the Prohibition period I believed had more accurate points than fictional comedy. For example, the Simpsons perfectly depicted life during the Prohibition in the aspect of jobs such as: bootleggers, mofia members, and speakeasy owners. Homer and Bart perfectly depicted the aspect of bootleggers, people who obtain and illegally sell banned alcoholic beverages to undercover bars (speakeasies); some bootleggers illegally smuggled alcohol imported from other countries, but others made their own alcohol mostly in the basements of their homes, which Homer and Bart did. Also in the Simpsons episode, it was shown that mofia members paid and bribed cops to 'be quiet' or 'hush-hush' about the illegal selling of government banned alcohol, which most of the police officers did in the 1920's; some even joined the local law-breakers at the speakeasies to share a round. Which clearly shows how most of society ignored the law of Prohibition because to many it was a 'stupid' or 'illegitimate' law. Most of society in the 1920's would gather at speakeasies and drink even though it was illegal, which is also shown in the Simpsons episode. All of these true facts depict in the Simpsons episode of life in the 1920's made it even more enjoyable to watch, I was able to learn about the 1920's in a realistic- yet comedic way, which is not exactly normal- which made it the reason why I liked it so much.


Part 2
"Added Scene"
If I was to add a scene to the Simpsons episode we watched in class depicting life in the 1920's under Prohibition, I would include a scene with the writing of the bill. The scene would take place in the House of Senate, and it would be of all of the Senators, Representatives, and the president of the time period, James Montgomery, all discussing why alcohol should be banned. I would also include the original reaction of the public society to this law being made. It would begin with newspapers titled "Prohibition--Banning All Alcohol Consumption", and it would show people reading the articles, some angry, some sad, and some sad reactions that would soon turn into seperate gatherings to start the making of "speakeasies" and to start hiring people to be the "bootleggers" for everyone's benefit.

Should true Americans have to give up personal freedoms during a time of war?

I disagree with this statement. I do not believe that true Americans should give up personal freedoms during time of war. Granted that it was done before such as restricting trade with the enemy, as well as boycotting importing goods from the enemy during a time of war; I believe that Americans should be able to choose what it is they do whether it is during a time or war or not. It is in the Preamble of the Constitution that Americans have the freedom to publish, gather, celebrate any kind of religion, and have their own opinions-- not once does it say in the Preamble that it is restricted in a time of war. Therefore, it is basically illegal for the government to take away those freedoms. It is not illegal for the government as well as other citizens of the United States to have their own opinions about others actions or opinions during a time of war-- but it is illegal to take away those freedoms to think for yourself, and to have your own individual opinions, even if the country is at war.

Spanish Explodes The U.S.S. Marine

February 16, 1898

Last night around 11 o'clock, we as a nation received information that a ship off the Venezuelan coast. It is now confirmed that the ship was one of our own- The U.S.S. Marine, was blown into smitherines and 250 American sailors were confirmed dead. Is it a coincidence that the Spanish holds claims in South America where the American ships were? Or the fact that American and Spanish relationships a restrained? I think not! It was claimed several times that Spain is the malicious mastermind that killed all those innocent American Marines; and of course it is- who else is to blame? The only true question is- how long will we wait til war? How long will we wait to avenge our brothers? And who will stand up for our country and fight?