I suggested in class that I might postpone asking you for your paper proposals until week 5 since the president suggested we might be headed back to war. I thought it might worth using this week's assignment to hone your ability to dig into the facts regarding current controversies.
So that's what I'm going to do.
Keep thinking about paper proposals, but for this week:
GOVT 2305
President Obama gave a speech last week announcing that proactive measures will be used to degrade ISIS - or ISIL, or the Islamic State, or whatever we're calling it.
But some critics wonder whether ISIS poses a real, substantive threat to the United States. We know Russia does because they have nuclear weapons - as do a few other nations, but ISIS has more conventional weapons - and some sharp knives.
Others disagree of course, but I want you to try to get at the facts underlying this.
Does ISIS actually pose a significant military threat to the United States? If so, what is the nature of that threat? Says who? What proof is offered? Do you buy it? What motives might underlie those who say that ISIS is - or isn't - a threat?
Keep in mind that other threats exist and focusing limited resources in one direction might make it more difficult to address others.
GOVT 2306
I also want you to look at the what facts underlie a perceived threat that seem to be driving certain political movements in Texas.
We hear some insist that the border with Mexico is not secured, and that actions have to be taken to make it so, but again, what is the proof that this is the case?
What evidence is offered to back up the claim that the border with Mexico is in fact unsecured. Keep in mind that we have an armed Border Patrol down there. What are they doing exactly?
You might want to look broadly at what constitutes a secure border. What does the term actually mean? What doe sit take to achieve that ideal? How much money is reasonable to spend to achieve that goal? Has the border in fact ever been secured under that rationale?
If you have questions on either of these. let me know.
You know the rules - be sure to answer the question objectively and factually. I am not interested in personal opinion, just the facts ok?
This will be due at noon Monday 22nd.
