The facts of the case are that Obama is being accused of using his friend Patrick's words because he did not site where he got his words from.
The ethical principles that are involved would be more so dealing with Hilary Clinton and her accusing Obama to gain voters.
I think that Hilary accusing Obama of plagiarism is awful. These words that he supposedly stole were borrowed from his friend Patrick. These words were never written or documented they were used in his speech which are usually written by the hired writers. In this case the man who writes Obamas speeches also at one point wrote for Patrick as well. So if anyone is to accuse Obama of plagiarism then it should be Patrick, however he is not, making it hard to claim that these words were stolen from him. Patrick has obviously approved of this borrowing of the words. So why is it that Hilary has to make such a big deal of the situation, they were not her words that he borrowed (and I am sure he is glad he hasn't borrowed her words). Hillary herself has created a crime much more closer to plagiarism then Obama when she accuse him of his plagiarism and then uses the word "Xerox", which is a word that has a copyright on it. This is a lame attack from Hilary Clinton. She should work on her own speeches and making sure that she is not plagiarising as well before she is quick to point the finger at someone else. This is not a paper that Obama wrote or a published piece of work, this is simply a message that both Obama and Patrick felt was an important topic to be voiced to the world. He did not steal his words he simply helped voice them, but maybe next time to avoid Hilary's childish tactics to take away votes from Obama he should reference Patricks words to avoid this whole ordeal. Obamas acts were not against the law in anyway, however some of those with STRICT ethics might see this simple act as wrong. But for most it is seen as a harmless act of a friend taking help from another friend and voicing a message. Congratulations Hilary, you tried to make Obama look bad and in return you looked foolish yourself.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Make No Law Questions 317
2. What specific things did people say about 18th-century politicians that got them prosecuted under the Alien and Sedition Acts? How do they compare to political discourse today? Were they harsher, milder or about the same? How many current statements about U.S. presidents and former presidents -- and presidential candidates -- can you list that could be prosecuted if the Alien and Sedition Acts were still in force?
Seditious Libel Comm 317
"Seditious libel is a criminal offence under English common law. Sedition is the offence of speaking seditious words with seditious intent: if the statement is in writing or some other permanent form it is seditious libel. A statement is seditious if it "brings into hatred or contempt" the Queen or her heirs, or the government and constitution, or either House of Parliament, or the administration of justice, or if it incites people to attempt to change any matter of Church or State established by law (except by lawful means), or if it promotes discontent among or hostility between British subjects. A person is only guilty of the offence if they intend any of the above outcomes. Proving that the statement is true is not a defence. It is punishable with life imprisonment". (thanks to our friend Wikipedia)
So how can we have free and open elections if we could still be prosecuted for seditious libel?
I dont think that it would be very like wise that we could hold free and open elections while still being able to be prosecuted for seditious libel. Even if the candidates were to tell the truth in their elections it could still be seen as seditious libel. Anything that could cause a discord agasint the government is seen as seditious libel, and in elections when one is running aginst another there is often times when their arguments could cause discord.
So how can we have free and open elections if we could still be prosecuted for seditious libel?
I dont think that it would be very like wise that we could hold free and open elections while still being able to be prosecuted for seditious libel. Even if the candidates were to tell the truth in their elections it could still be seen as seditious libel. Anything that could cause a discord agasint the government is seen as seditious libel, and in elections when one is running aginst another there is often times when their arguments could cause discord.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Live blogging on His Girl Friday
Yup you guessed it.. Yet another fun filled day watching His Girl Friday! I know you viewers are just as excited to read my blog as I am to write it for you!
And where do we begin? Well we had last left off with Bruce’s mother coming into the news room yelling about getting money to get her son out of jail.
One thing that I found quite strange was when Molly, Earls girlfriend, falls from the window and seems to be dead, the news room staff rushes to the window and then quickly goes back to writing their stories.
Hildy seems to be right back into the news business, as if she never wanted to leave. She continuously writes her story not letting anything get in her way. She even let Bruce leave on the 9 o'clock train and didn't pay attention to notice that he wasn't coming back. The only thing that seems to pull her away from the story is when she finds out that her mother in-law was in a horrible accident and she feels that she is responsible for it.
Sherif Hartwell threatens to fine the post a whole $10,000. Today that amount of money just seems like a slap on the wrist.
Hildys mother-in-law bust in the room claiming Walter as a kidnapper, luckily for her the cops are already in the news room. Mrs. Baldwin not only accuses Walter of kidnapping her, she then goes on to tell the cops that they were hiding the murder in the newsroom. What a typical mother-in-law, always making things difficult.
Finally the sheriff and mayor are busted for trying to hang a man just to win the upcoming election. It seems like now Hildy and Walter have the story they need for the post.
Typical! After this whole time of Walter trying to get Hildy back, he just sends her on her way into the arms of Bruce! But what do you know.. Hildy doesn’t really understand why. It’s as if she wants Walter to continue to fight for her. But hey isn't that how most of us girls are?
OH WAIT! It looks as though Walter's plans had all worked out! He got his girl back! They plan to get remarried and go on the honeymoon they never had, Niagara Falls.
And where do we begin? Well we had last left off with Bruce’s mother coming into the news room yelling about getting money to get her son out of jail.
One thing that I found quite strange was when Molly, Earls girlfriend, falls from the window and seems to be dead, the news room staff rushes to the window and then quickly goes back to writing their stories.
Hildy seems to be right back into the news business, as if she never wanted to leave. She continuously writes her story not letting anything get in her way. She even let Bruce leave on the 9 o'clock train and didn't pay attention to notice that he wasn't coming back. The only thing that seems to pull her away from the story is when she finds out that her mother in-law was in a horrible accident and she feels that she is responsible for it.
Sherif Hartwell threatens to fine the post a whole $10,000. Today that amount of money just seems like a slap on the wrist.
Hildys mother-in-law bust in the room claiming Walter as a kidnapper, luckily for her the cops are already in the news room. Mrs. Baldwin not only accuses Walter of kidnapping her, she then goes on to tell the cops that they were hiding the murder in the newsroom. What a typical mother-in-law, always making things difficult.
Finally the sheriff and mayor are busted for trying to hang a man just to win the upcoming election. It seems like now Hildy and Walter have the story they need for the post.
Typical! After this whole time of Walter trying to get Hildy back, he just sends her on her way into the arms of Bruce! But what do you know.. Hildy doesn’t really understand why. It’s as if she wants Walter to continue to fight for her. But hey isn't that how most of us girls are?
OH WAIT! It looks as though Walter's plans had all worked out! He got his girl back! They plan to get remarried and go on the honeymoon they never had, Niagara Falls.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Continue live blog of My Girl Friday
[1:00 pm] How exciting, here we are Monday sitting in class and all I can think about is how I am dreading to watch the rest of this black and white film My Girl Friday.
[1:06] As I sit here and try to piece back the movie; I am finding it very difficult to pay attention to the dull humored film. I believe that after watching so many actions packed, colored film, and animated graphics that are in today’s films, it makes it much harder to stop and restart a film such as this.
[1:15] finally something to grab my attention! As four guys from the news sit around a table and play cards an angry woman comes bursting into the room. This woman is accusing the men or writing false statements about her. These statements have to deal with the case that Hildy is covering for her news story. After being ignored by the men and bringing her to tears the woman is finally consoled by Hildy.
[1:18] the movie defiantly dates itself. The talk about hanging a man is thrown around like it is something that takes place everyday. The men even joke about why the hanging can't be changed to an earlier time, rather then having to wait until 7 o'clock.
[1:20] One thing that I continue to find humors about this film, which I don't think was intended to be funny, is how Hildy continues to think that she can not work for the news and "be a woman" Once again Hildy quite the news and this time it seems final. In her outburst, she goes on to say that she is quitting the news and is going to go "is a woman" and have babies. I think I find this so humorous because today it is uncommon for a woman not to work while still having a family.
[1:28] Poor Bruce, he has fallen into one of Walters traps that he has set up for him in hope that Hildy will not go off and marry Bruce. It is hard not to feel sorry for Bruce. He is such a quiet kind character who is oblivious to everything that is taking place around him. Luckily for him Hildy on the other hand is quick to catch on to Walter and know right away that Walter used the blonde girl to set up Bruce and land him in jail.
[1:34] "Shoot to kill, and $500 to the man who does it". For some reason this line brought a smile to my face. Not because of the actions in it, but the face that at this time of age there are people that think killing a man is worth $500. This is just another example of how movies date themselves. Only in the "old days" would someone not think anything of it when offered only $500 to shoot and kill another human being.
[1:41] once again its time to end the movie, and we will resume on Wednesday, that is hoping there isn't another snow day!
[1:06] As I sit here and try to piece back the movie; I am finding it very difficult to pay attention to the dull humored film. I believe that after watching so many actions packed, colored film, and animated graphics that are in today’s films, it makes it much harder to stop and restart a film such as this.
[1:15] finally something to grab my attention! As four guys from the news sit around a table and play cards an angry woman comes bursting into the room. This woman is accusing the men or writing false statements about her. These statements have to deal with the case that Hildy is covering for her news story. After being ignored by the men and bringing her to tears the woman is finally consoled by Hildy.
[1:18] the movie defiantly dates itself. The talk about hanging a man is thrown around like it is something that takes place everyday. The men even joke about why the hanging can't be changed to an earlier time, rather then having to wait until 7 o'clock.
[1:20] One thing that I continue to find humors about this film, which I don't think was intended to be funny, is how Hildy continues to think that she can not work for the news and "be a woman" Once again Hildy quite the news and this time it seems final. In her outburst, she goes on to say that she is quitting the news and is going to go "is a woman" and have babies. I think I find this so humorous because today it is uncommon for a woman not to work while still having a family.
[1:28] Poor Bruce, he has fallen into one of Walters traps that he has set up for him in hope that Hildy will not go off and marry Bruce. It is hard not to feel sorry for Bruce. He is such a quiet kind character who is oblivious to everything that is taking place around him. Luckily for him Hildy on the other hand is quick to catch on to Walter and know right away that Walter used the blonde girl to set up Bruce and land him in jail.
[1:34] "Shoot to kill, and $500 to the man who does it". For some reason this line brought a smile to my face. Not because of the actions in it, but the face that at this time of age there are people that think killing a man is worth $500. This is just another example of how movies date themselves. Only in the "old days" would someone not think anything of it when offered only $500 to shoot and kill another human being.
[1:41] once again its time to end the movie, and we will resume on Wednesday, that is hoping there isn't another snow day!
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