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Living Democracy: Religion clauses

Living Democracy Joy Cowdery The First Amendment has two provisions concerning religion: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment clause prohibits the government from “establishing” a religion. The definition of “establishment” is unclear. Historically, it meant prohibiting state-sponsored churches, such as the Church of England or favoring one religion over another, or favoring religion over non-religion. Key cases have centered on school prayer, religious displays, and state funding for religious institutions, often requiring a ...

First job can teach you the value of a buck sixty-five

The Way I See It Art Smith I have been a part of the newspaper business for a long time. It was not, however, my first job. My first job was as an assistant soda bottle sorter. Go ahead, reread that line. Pull up a chair kids and listen to a story about how we once made a little ...

Don’t wait for school to teach your children

By Kiki Angelos So many things we can teach our children at home, but we take it for granted that they learn them in school. Patience teaches discipline Many successful people reached their dreams later in life, proving it’s never too late to pursue what truly matters. Teach your child every step they take toward their goal, no matter how small, keeps their dreams alive. Age, circumstances or past mistakes can never erase your passion for something that you want to accomplish in life. As long as you stay focused, work hard and believe in yourself, have patience and have ...

Perspectives of a new dad — One year in

As my son approaches his first birthday later this month, I’ve found myself doing a lot of reflecting on what’s been easier or harder than anticipated. The long nights, balancing a full-time job with the needs of being a full-time dad, and so much more. And especially in a first year of global conflict and rapid change, it feels like an extra weight is applied to an already heavy time of life. Being a parent is a truly magical and life-altering experience. It completely changes the way you look at everyday things. How you talk, who you engage with, how you engage in public, et ...

Look up! There may be astronauts over your house

If you are able to pull yourself from the multitude of screens in your home, you may be able to see a truly out of this world show pass directly over your home. The International Space Station is a huge space outpost that has been orbiting the earth since 1998. Weighing nearly a million pounds, the football field size craft orbits the earth every 92.9 minutes as it travels 17,100 miles an hour, about 260 miles above us. Since launch, there have been a total of 290 people from 26 countries aboard the station. Since the craft orbits the earth that is in constant rotation, the land ...

How Plessy v Ferguson led to Brown v Board

In 1892, Homer Plessy, who was one-eighth Black, purchased a first-class ticket and sat in the White-designated railroad car. Plessy was arrested for violating Louisiana’s Separate Car Act and argued in court that the act violated the 10th and 14th Constitutional Amendments. The 10th Amendment reserves broad, undefined powers for the states, and the 14th Amendment says states may not deny people equal protection of the law. Ferguson (1838–1915) was the Louisiana judge who presided over the district court of Orleans. He ruled against Plessy by upholding the state’s Separate Car ...