Jon-Michael's Blogs

RJA #15b: Reflection on What You Learned

2009-12-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

Of the four classes I had this semester, I prefered this one. I don't use the computer very often nor do I use the internet often, so when I saw how much we were going to use the internet this semester to do many things, I was not thrilled. However, after a couple of different assignments using all parts of the web, I did not mind. Now I feel like I know astronomically more about the internet than I did before this class began. I also learned much more than I ever knew before about the structure of a paper. The volume of work in this class was much greater than any other online class I had this semester and because of that I was never bored with the class and I learned a lot. Overall this was a great class and now I know a great deal more about the internet.

RJA #15a: Word Cloud

2009-12-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

This is the link to my word cloud.

RJA #14: Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

2009-11-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

-Video- PBS Video "After Guantanamo" September 4, 2009 http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/536/index.html
This PBS video is part of the nightly investigative series on PBS. I found the information to be very accurate. This video shows arguments from both sides although the tone of the video seems to be leaning towards the side against preventive detention. It shows the negative effects that have come from preventive detention, but also has interviews with people who are fighting for and fully support it.

-No Author “Preventive Detention in India: Constitutional Tyranny” HUMAN RIGHTS FEATURE September 25, 2000 http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures/HRF26.htm
This article has no specified author but is said to be written by a voice from the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Network. The author speaks negatively about the preventive detention system in India. The author says it is the only country in which preventive detention is still lawful in peacetime. I don’t think this source is very credible because it is very opinion based and has no author mentioned.

-Buetler, Brian “Feingold to Obama: Preventive Detention Is Unconstitutional” TPMDC WEB May 25, 2009 http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/feingold-to-obama-preventive-detention-is-unconstitutional.php
Brian Buetler’s article has a part of the Wisconsin Senator, Russell Feingold’s rebuttal to Barack Obama’s Preventive Detention proposal. Feingold is critiquing the plan and calling it unconstitutional. It is hard to say what side of the argument Buetler is on because he remains neutral in this article.
-Maddow, Rachel “Obama Proposes New Law: 'Prevention Detention' = "Lock 'Em Up & Toss the Key, w/o Trial" TELEVISION http://www.videosurf.com/video/obama-proposes-new-law-%27prevention-detention%27-lock-%27em-up-toss-the-key-w-o-trial-66898178
Rachel Maddow is reporting after the President’s latest decision to close Guantanamo Bay prison. She first acknowledges the fact that he did indeed close the facility, but she says that this closing will not be a big deal if his preventive detention proposal passes because that would mean more Guantanamo Bay prisons in the future. She has the tone that she is opposed to his proposal and insinuates that he is “wishy-washy.”

-Stolberg, Sheryl Gay “Obama Is Said to Consider Preventive Detention Plan” New York Times, May 20, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/us/politics/21obama.html?_r=1
Sheryl Gay Stolberg describes what Barack Obama said in his speech regarding preventive detention. She criticizes him for changing his stance on the issue since being elected. She quotes several questions and answers from this speech and says he needs to better convince the American people of his new plan.

-No Author “Extrajudicial detention, U.K., Northern Ireland” Citizendum, WEB http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Extrajudicial_detention%2C_U.K.%2C_Northern_Ireland
This is an encyclopedia article and describes in detail Extrajudicial (preventive) detention in the United Kingdom and in Northern Ireland dating back to 1922. The information is very informative and not at all biased. It also includes names of leaders involved throughout the years.

RJA #13b: Annotated Bibliography, Part 1

2009-11-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

-No Author "Preventive Detention At What Cost?" There is no Spoon (May 22, 2009) WEB http://www.nospoonblog.com/2009/07/preventive-detention-at-what-cost.html

-Katsh, Ethan M. "Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Legal Issues, Vol. 13," University Of Massachusetts, McGraw Hill, 2008 Print

-Usher, Rod "Better Late Than Never" Time Magazine, WEB (May 28, 2003)
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030602-455005,00.html

-Froomkin, Dan "Problems With Preventive Detention" The Washington Post May 22, 2009 WEB http://voices.washingtonpost.com/white-house-watch/looking-backward/the-problems-with-preventive-d.html

RJA #13a: Field Research Report

2009-11-13T18:32:00.000-08:00

My original plan was to survey 100 people in the general public and survey as many police officers and politicians as I could. I found it difficult to find police officers and politicians so I surveyed as many people as I could, including six police officers. I surveyed 128 people and asked yes or no versions of my original questions.

The first question was "Do you feel as though preventive detention is a good system to install in the United States as well as worldwide. Of the 128, 111 said they did not know what preventive detention was. After I explained what it is, 94 said yes and 34 said no. All six police officers said yes.

The second question I asked was "Do you think it is fair that a human being can be held captive without trial without committing a crime?" All 128 said no.

The final Question was "Do all human beings deserve the same rights?" 126 said yes and 2 surprisingly said no.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

2009-11-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

Here is the link to my presentation.

RJA #12c: Introduction Check

2009-11-06T18:28:00.000-08:00

http://1020bown.blogspot.com/2009/11/rja-11a-introduction.html#comment-form

http://amandawalker33.blogspot.com/2009/11/rja-11a-introduction.html#comment-form

RJA #12b: Presentation Plan

2009-11-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

PRESENTATION PLAN

Intro

explanation of what preventive detention is

Background

Obama's Plan
countries with preventive detention programs

Argument

Counterargument

Conclusion

RJA #12a: Progress Report

2009-11-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

Finished:

Outline
First three paragraphs of essay first draft
have all sources needed in delicious account

Need to finish

Draft of paper (November 11)
Peer review (November 17-30)
Presentation (November 10)
Final Draft (Dec. 1-7)
Letter to editor (Finals week)
Bibliography (December 1-7)

RJA #11c: Thesis Statement Check

2009-10-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Comments on thesis statements:

http://lgreenmyer.blogspot.com/search/label/ENG%201020-RJ10a

http://eapplegate.blogspot.com/2009/10/rja-10athesis-statement-eng-1020-fa-09.html

RJA #11b: Visual Aids

2009-10-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

1) Copy of the Constitution

2) Picture of man wrongfully detained in England.

3) Pictures of countries currently with preventive detention systems

4) Terrorist attack

5) Guantanamo Bay

RJA #11a: Introduction

2009-10-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

No matter how much one one wants crime to disappear, it will always be here. From petty things such as stealing a pack of gum after school to large things such as murder, crime will be a part of society as long as people are around. What if we had the ability to stop a murderer before that person was anywhere close to committing that murder? What if we could stop that person from stealing that pack of gum after school while he or she was still in class? That would be pretty great, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, nobody has the ability to read another person's mind. Nobody, except the different governments of the world, evidently. In many countries of the world, there exists a program called Preventive Detention. This is a system in which a person is detained without having committed a crime. In addition, that person does not have the right to any trial or defense in the form of a lawyer. This happens when a person is said to be a threat to the security of the nation. Have you ever heard the phrase, "its not what you know, its what you can prove in a court of law"? According to the Constitution of the United States, everyone has the right to a fair trial. So how can it be allowed that a person can be detained, not allowed defense and a fair trial, having never committed a crime, and worst of all not even be told why they are being held? That is because paranoia over "terrorism" has driven the different governments of the world to drastic, fearful measures such as taking away our civil and human rights. Some might consider that to be the government's very own form of "terrorism". Despite what has been said by creators and supporters of Preventive Detention, it is an unjust way for the government to give people a false sense of national security. They trick people into thinking that since the guy that was recently arrested was a threat and now is off the streets, the country is now that much safer. Sure, it is possible that he was a threat, but it is also possible that you have the wrong guy. Is that man not still "innocent until proven guilty."

RJA #10b: Argument

2009-10-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Argument-

Introducing preventive detention to the United States would be going against constitutional and human rights and is an irreversible evil once passed.

RJA #10a: Thesis Statement

2009-10-27T15:46:00.001-07:00

Research Question: Is it fair for one to be detained without being told why and without committing a crime, just because they are considered a potential threat to the national security?

Precise claim: I don't feel that preventive detention is a fair system.

Thesis Statement: Despite what has been said by creators and supporters of Preventive Detention, it is an unjust way for the government to give people a false sense of national security. They trick people into thinking that since the guy that was recently arrested was a threat and now is off the streets, the country is now that much safer. Sure, it is possible that he was a threat, but it is also possible that you have the wrong guy. Is that man not still "innocent until proven guilty."

RJA #9: Evaluation of Sources

2009-10-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

Blog- No Author "Preventive Detention At What Cost?" There is no Spoon May 22, 2009 http://www.nospoonblog.com/2009/07/preventive-detention-at-what-cost.html
No author, this may not be as credible because there is no author and it seems to be more opinion based than factual.

Book- Katsh, Ethan M. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Legal Issues, Vol. 13, University Of Massachusetts, McGraw Hill, 2008
Latest edition of a well-recognized book on political issues.

Periodical- Usher, Rod "Better Late Than Never" Time Magazine, May 28, 2003 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030602-455005,00.html
Rod Usher is a writer for a well known magazine, TIME. This, however, may be a little out of date.

Periodical- Froomkin, Dan "Problems With Preventive Detention" The Washington Post May 22, 2009 http://voices.washingtonpost.com/white-house-watch/looking-backward/the-problems-with-preventive-d.html
Recent article from the Washington post from a journalist.

Website- Greenwald, Glenn "Facts and Myths About Obama's Preventive Detention Proposal" May 22, 2009 http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/05/22/preventive_detention/
Not a very well-Known website and I could not find much about Glenn Greenwald.

Video- PBS Video "After Guantanamo" September 4, 2009 http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/05/22/preventive_detention/
PBS is a credible resource and this aired on T.V. on this same date.

Internet Research Project

2009-10-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Review of INFOMINE

INFOMINE is a Virtual Library of Internet Resources that was created by college librarians to be used by students and professors at the University level. It was created in 1994 at the University of California, Riverside, as a project. It was one of the first web-based academic virtual libraries and is always expanding its resources.

Strengths-
*Contains over 100,000 links
*Provides a great number of access points
*Provides a second-tier collection that complements its first-tier collection which allows the user more detail in searching as well as a greater number of search results.
*Can rank search results by relevance or alphabetically by title.
*Supports Boolean and Exact searching methods

Weaknesses-
*Does not search entire web
* Has small number of topics within the site, but is growing
*Is only for academic purposes
*Can be confusing to first-time users

INFOMINE searches electronic journals, electronic books, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library card catalogs, articles, and directories of researchers.

Databases:
Ejournals, periodicals, serials, news letters, directories, virtual libraries, reference resources, instructional uses, textbooks, books, etexts, text archives, maps & mapping, digital libraries, eprint/preprint archives.

Default Operation: It will not search OR, AND if two words are entered without Boolean symbols.

Case Sensitivity- There is no case sensitivity for INFOMINE.

Stop Words: the, a, be

Advanced Search Function- Browsing indexes which include searches by subjects, keywords, and other indexes which include authors, titles, resource types and ’What's New.”

Limits- (within advanced search)
*Record Origin
*Resource Access
*Resource Types

Sorting- INFOMINE gives the user the ability to sort results by relevance and alphabetically.

Display- Title of article and brief quotation with the ability to “view more”

Help Function- Brief set of tips to help the user narrow his or her search

Special Features- One can customize this site on their computer and also receive RSS feedback.

RJA #8c: Multimedia

2009-10-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

video surf
keywords-CNN (preventive detention)
Search strategy- parentheses
10/10/09
62 hits
4 of 5 relevance

RJA #8b: Social Media

2009-10-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Google blogs
Keywords- Preventive detention benefits
search strategy- search engine math
10/10/09
4,300 hits
4 of 5 relevance

Symbaloo.com
Keywords- blogs preventive detention problems
search strategy- Boolean (AND)
10/10/09
41,200 hits
5 of 5 relevance

RJA #8a: Websites

2009-10-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

Search Engine lycos.com
keywords- preventive detention
Search strategy- search engine math
10/10/09
133,546 hits
3 of 5 for results (too many results for books to purchase)

Pandia Metasearch
keywords- preventive detention NEAR United Kingdom
search strategy- Boolean
10/10/09
Unknown number of hits (not recorded on website)
2 of 5 for search results

I searched several directories for preventive detention and related topics. None of which had any results.

CompletePlanet gave me no results for (preventive detention) and when I removed the parentheses I found 1 result which was not relevant.
10/10/09
1 hit
0 of 5

joongel.com (great site)
keywords- preventive detention congress
search strategy- Search engine math
10/10/09
29,400 hits
5 of 5

RJA #7c: Field Research Plan

2009-10-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

I plan to conduct a poll of 100 or more people to see how many people are for preventive detention in America, how many are indifferent, and how many how many are against it. I will also interview people involved in law enforcement and politics to get their views on the matter. I will ask questions such as "Do you feel that preventive detention is a good idea in the United States as well as worldwide?" "Is it fair that a human being can be held captive without commiting a crime?" How will this benefit America and how will this effect America negatively if the law is passed?"
I plan on finishing my field reseach no later than October 7th and I will try for as many police officers and politicians as I can. I also plan on asking those same questions to students at Metro as well as family members and the general public.

RJA #7b: Internet Research Tool Test

2009-10-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

INFOMINE.com Search- +preventive +detention +controversy
10/2/09
1 hits
5 of 5 for relevance of hit

2nd search- +preventive +detention +Obama +controversy
10/2/09
0 hits
0 of 5 for relevance of hits

RJA #7a: Internet Research Tools

2009-10-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Internet tools I tend to use most are google, yahoo!, AOL, and ask.com. I prefer google over the rest of these because I find the information easier through google, meaning I don't have to try many different words or phrases before I find what I need. Yahoo is another great search engine because it has many different pages with yahoo.com such as sports, news, weather, etc. It is my favorite for current events but not school research. I don't use AOL very often. It is my homepage so I will occasionally use it to check sports scores or to do a quick search. I very rarely use ask.com because I usually find what I need on Google or Yahoo. However, when I cannot find what I need, I will go to ask.com.

RJA #6c: Protopage

2009-09-26T18:06:00.001-07:00

Here is the protopage account for Jon-Michael Grant.

RJA #6b: Search Strings

2009-09-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

I did not have any comments on my original search strings. Here are My originals as well as new search strings.

Search Engine Math
+Obama's +"preventive detention plan" -election -health care
+preventive detention +"United Kingdom" -book results

Boolean
Obama's Preventive Detention plan NOT health care
United Kingdom NEAR Preventive detention
Obama AND preventive detention plan

New Search Strings
+Preventive +detention +controversy
Preventive detention NEAR controversy
+pros +cons +preventive detention

RJA #6a: Periodical Articles

2009-09-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Periodical Articles:
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13405565
denverpost.com
Accessed on 9/24/2009
3 hits
2 out of 5 for relevance of hits.
keywords and strategies. Search engine math +preventive +detention

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030602-455005,00.html
magportal.com
Accessed on 9/24/09
11 hits
4 out of 5 for relevance of hits
Keywords and strategies used: Boolean system-preventive detention NEAR controversy

RJA #5c: Search String Check

2009-09-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

commented on 9/20 for http://callen63.blogspot.com/2009/09/rja-4b-writing-search-strings.html

commented on 9/20 for http://pjc-at-mscd.blogspot.com/2009/09/rja-4b-writing-search-strings.html#comment-form

RJA #5b: Books

2009-09-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

Taking sides : clashing views on legal issues / selected, edited and with introductions by M. Ethan Katsh Boston, MA : McGraw-Hill, c2008.
-Checked out through the Jefferson County Public Library. Argues preventive detention as well as Guantanamo Bay.

RJA #5a: Finding Reference Articles

2009-09-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Argument:_Preventive_detention_at_Guantanamo_trades_liberty_for_security
I used idebate.com for this article and on 9/17 there were 8 matches and all were relevant (5 on a scale of 1 - 5). I used search math by putting +'s in front of the two words.

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Extrajudicial_detention%2C_U.K.%2C_Northern_Ireland
I used en.citizendium.org for this article and on 9/17 there were 159 matches and I would give it 3 on a scale of 1 - 5. I used the synonymous term extrajudicial to replace preventive.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/05/22/preventive_detention/
&
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/enc/stories/s1116229.htm
For these two articles, I searched the delicious website for relevant articles. As of 9/17, there were 10 articles related to preventive detention and all were relevant. 5 on a scale of 1-5 for relevance.

RJA #4c: Checking Research Questions

2009-09-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

These are the two classmates' blogs which I commented on.
http://ericabennett.blogspot.com/

http://lgreenmyer.blogspot.com/

RJA# 4b: Writing Search Strings

2009-09-10T15:04:00.001-07:00

Search Engine Math

+Obama's +"preventive detention plan" -election -health care

+preventive detention +"United Kingdom" -book results

Boolean

Obama's Preventive Detention plan NOT health care

United Kingdom NEAR Preventive detention

Obama AND preventive detention plan

RJA #4a: Generating Keywords

2009-09-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

Terms with synonymous terms:

Preventive- defensive, precautionary, deterrent, protective

Detention- custody, confinement, imprisonment, captivity

Obama’s Plan- idea, possibility, sketch, proposal

Ladder of Generalization:

Precautionary, deterrent, defensive, protective, custody, confinement, defense plan, preventive detention, preventive detention plan, Obama’s preventive detention plan

RJA #3c: Developing Research Question

2009-09-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

"Is preventive detention a positive and effective way in trying to control terrorism or is it, in a sense, terrorism itself?"

"Does preventive detention help rid the world of terrorism or does it work against itself by turning more people against the country doing the detention?"

"Is preventive detention a fair system or a biased, unfair way to control people."

"Will preventive detention cause an even larger rebellion of radicals?"

"Is preventive detention a good move for the United States or will it tarnish the reputation of a "fair" and "free" country?"

"How do different countries preventive detentions compare to one another and how do they differ? How does Obama's plan compare and differ from these?"

RJA #3b: Narrowing Research Topic

2009-09-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

I needed to broaden my topic so I found sources covering similar systems in other countries and testimonies from people who have been effected by these systems. I looked at the evidence against these people and also debated whether the evidence was, in my opinion, enough to hold someone who has never actually committed a crime. After taking into consideration what I already knew about the subject and the new information I found in my search, I feel this country and the entire world is despicable and a mess that people are trying to clean up with violence. We need to make a change.

RJA #3a: Exploring Research Topic

2009-09-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have decided to change the topic of my blog to "I preventive detention a positive way in trying to control terrorism or is it just as bad as the terrorists themselves?" The last topic I had was hard to research and had few sources. In my research I found a video that has been played on PBS and covers both sides of the Preventive Detention arguement. It talks about the U.K.'s detention system already in place and debates whether or not America should start a similar system. Another bit of research I found was the basic outline for Barack Obama's possible plan for preventive detention. These two websites can be found on MY DELICIOUS PAGE.

RJA #2c: Delicious Account

2009-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

The link to Jon-Michael Grant's delicious account is here.

RJA #2b: Research Topic

2009-08-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

My topic is how the English language and the way people spend their time has changed, in my opinion, for the worst, with the introduction of cellular phones and "social networking" websites. I chose this topic because I feel that it is becoming hard to have a conversation with someone without involving some sort of keyboard. Everywhere I turn, I hear about websites such as twitter, facebook, and myspace, and I feel these are taking away valuable time from the people who use them. Also, I personally find that grammar and proper English are a thing of the past as people are talking more and more in abbreviations that are substituted for real sentences. Social skills and emotion less common as well.

I know what these websites are used for in everyday life, but I also feel that they are being overused to the point that they are depriving people of many life experiences. I also know that text messaging is a convenient luxury to have when a person needs to relay information quickly, but cannot make a call; however, I feel it, like the websites, is overused and abused. If I have something to say to someone, I would rather give that person a call and say everything I need to say and the other person do the same. There is no sentiment in a text message that says "I Love You." I that person truly means that he/she loves the other person, there is no reason they cannot call the other person and tell them.

I don't know why people spend so much time using these "indirect" means of communication but I would like to find out. Maybe there are other reasons for these websites that I am unclear about. I find it troubling when I hear people talking to me in three letter abbreviations that I am supposed to understand. This issue is just beginning to occur and I know that things change with time, but I hope our ability to show emotion and our brain power do not.

RJA #2a: Possible Topics

2009-08-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

The topic for my research paper is how the English language and the way people spend their time has changed since the recent boom in technology. This includes cellular phones and such internet sites as twitter, myspace, and facebook.

RJA #1: Areas of Academic Interest

2009-08-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

As a history major, naturally, one of my academic interests is history. I am mostly interested in European history such as the Renaissance and Ancient Empires such as Rome and Greece. I am also interested in the history of Baseball, including statistics and players. One other area that is of great interest to me is music. I am currently reading a book which is a compilation of thirty-one interviews with Bob Dylan. In my opinion, he is an incredible songwriter and I enjoy his views on many issues. Music, sports, and History are my biggest areas of interest.