freedom supported by judges and the judicial system?

     This week in class we discussed judges and the judicial system. When I first saw the critical question of the week I immediately started thinking of what I could talk about. I always viewed the judges and judicial system as a “you get what you get” moment. When you go to court you hope to God you get a good, kind judge that won’t go to harsh on your sentence. As you walk in the door you hear him/her going nuts on the person before you. All you can think about is “great I am screwed.” To your surprise when you reach the front they go over your records and let you go, punishment free… now wouldn’t that be nice? This happens at times but for some it is rare. Judges hold a huge key to our freedom and what they say goes. There is no arguing with them, if you do then you will face a harsher punishment. My question is SHOULD ALL ACTIONS BE JUDGED THE SAME? No matter on the person’s crime or record… do you think that would make things fairer? When faced with charges that feel unjust, someone does have the opportunity to face the court and judicial system. It is a much longer process but many think it is worth it. Although we may see judges as unfair, and unjust, I know that they do their job to their best. I know I would never be able to make the decisions they do. I am sure the stress they deal with is by far overbearing!

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/03/15/colorado.boy.slayings/index.html?iref=allsearch

This link above talks about a tough decision a judge had to face when he was dealt a 12 year old. It was not just any 12 year old, this 12 year old shot his parents and wounded his two siblings. It was a huge question from the media and court on whether or not to charge him as an adult with murder or as a juvenile.

 

PRESIDENCY?!

Presidency seemed to be the hot topic of this week in my Government Class this week. We were asked “In what ways does the U.S. Presidency support and limit the formation of an ideal democracy?” At first I had a hard time trying to figure out what the question was actually asking, then I was trying to pinpoint what our book discussed. I figured this question was basically wondering what our president does or is “required” doing, as well as, how much power does he have? When I was little I use to always think that the President was the only person in charge. I didn’t even understand what voting really was and the impact it has on our nation. I assumed that being president was the only thing in a government and vice versa. Well was I in for a shock as I got older and more wise in this department. I am still a little “slow” when it comes to politics and sometimes I really do not care (I know really sad and typical for this generation). This class is definitely pushing me to become even more aware of what is going on though. So with that being said I can now answer the question a little bit better then how I would have answered it when I was in elementary school. I view the President as a spokes person for our nation, he is not the only person involved in the decision making but he is the “leader” that shares what is going to take place. He may seem like he has all the say but the executive branch and congress are really the head honchos. If you have ever seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” then you will understand my analogy.  “He may be the head of the house but the woman is the neck, controlling the head” (well its not word for word but close enough!). So I thought it fit great with this, the president is the head but the congress is the neck, controlling what really takes place... RIGHT? MAYBE?

In the article I found that was pretty good with what this blog was going to be about. It basically talks about  whether or not “Newt Gingrich's candidacy may answer the question of whether you have to be likable to be president.”

so my question would have to be... is the presidency becoming a popular vote? and based on if it is or isn’t does that effect how effective the power of the presidency is?

http://www.slate.com/id/2286914/?GT1=38001#add-comment

what do you think? Is this cartoon dead on or ridiculous?