SK

= Interview=

My father, Michael Katz, was eagerly awaiting the end of the interview before it had even begun. He had just come home from a long day of work and agreed to be interviewed, but it was quite evident he would have much rather watched television. Before I had even asked him a question he pretended to pay attention, but his ever shifting gaze proved otherwise. His eyes were constantly changing direction, me-tv-me-tv (a playoff baseball game had caught his attention). I had planned on interviewing him about The Vietnam War, but my plans changed when i realized he knew nothing about it; instead I interviewed my father about an issue more pressing in his life and line of work: [|The Struggling Economy]. To me, the economy had no impact on my life, but over the past few weeks I had realized the channel with all of the stock market information had been playing a lot more frequently than usual and the economy has been prevalent in the [|Obama] vs.[|McCain]election. Then about a week ago my grandparents were over my house and my grandfather seemed to be a bit depressed about the economy, so when I began asking my Dad about the struggling economy the first thing I asked him was why Grandpa had seen upset. This had seemed to catch my Dad off guard as it was the first time his eyes were more focused on me than the baseball game on tv. His head jerked so fast that I thought it was going to fly off his neck and into my lap. At first he was surprised I noticed, but than told me I shouldn't worry about him. He said, "Grandpa is always uptight. He's lost money in the market, but nothing that will change how he lives." At first I was concerned for my Grandpa and thought my Dad was just saying this to comfort me, but then I remembered my Grandfather is one of the most uptight and obsessive people I have ever met; when he was 55 years old he became so obsessed with his health that he ran the marathon and finished. After learning that my grandpa had lost money in the [|stock market], I became more curious to find out the reasons why so I asked my Dad, he responded, "The market is going down." I sarcastically remarked at his great insight so he decided to delve deeper into the topic in order for me to get a real understanding. He then combed his hand through his hair and began telling me about the problems with the banking system. Banks had been making loans to people they shouldn't have-these people couldn't pay the loans back-investment banks, insurance companies and mortgage companies began failing-the [|economy has been spiraling downward since]. When we began talking about whether the country should be afraid my Dad jokingly replied, "they should be afraid, very afraid."After he said that he became a lot more serious and sat up in his chair instead of lying down casually. He elaborated on how the whole current global economy is at risk, and that a lot of [|people's jobs aren't safe], and that many people have lost a lot of money recently. He hinted at the slim chance of a depression. Although I had heard the possibility of a Depression I had never taken it seriously until my Dad had confirmed it. Then instead of worrying for the common person my mind had shifted to worrying for my Dad's own job security considering he works for an investment bank. He told me anything concerning his job is possible. I thought he would be frightened at this thought but he seemed more intrigued about other things he could do if it happened; the idea of teaching or coaching basketball at the high school immediately came to his mind. I finally asked my Dad, "[|How will this crisis turn out]?" He responded, "Either way it will be fine." Then with a reassuring smile he turned his head back to the baseball game.

=1984 Part One= [|Lesson Plan Write Up] = = 1984 is a pessimistic vision of the government of the future. Orwell writes this novel as a warning of what can possibly happen if the government gains to much control over the people. Orwell's vision of the future government did not end up happening, but today's government has made some questionable decisions that have oppressed the rights of the people, specifically the Patriot Act.

=USA Patriot Act- Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act=

http://www.aclu.org/PatriotActFlash/PatriotActFeature.htm -Shows how the Patriot Act directly violates certain amendments

[|Controversial PATRIOT Act Provisions]

=Patriot Act Quotes= 1. "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."-Ben Franklin 2."I believe the Patriot Act strikes the right balance needed to protect our freedom and security." - Bill Owens 3. "I really think the Patriot Act violates our Constitution. It was, it is, an illegal act. The Congress, the Senate and the president cannot change the Constitution."-Peter Camejo 4. "We are a strong nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be scared into suspending the Constitution. If we do that, we might as well call the terrorists and tell them that they have won." -Silvestre Reyes 5. "Franklin Roosevelt, as you know, something that every school child in America knows, said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself. And President Bush tells the American people that he has nothing to offer but fear, and I'm afraid that his fear mongering of this bill is not constructive." - Nancy Pelosi

[|Patriot Act's Effect on Google] Google Inc. is hurt by security officials in the United States ability to conduct surveillance on communications.

=Do you think the Patriot Act is fair?= = = =1984 Part Two= [|Lesson plan part 2] In the second part of 1984 the reader is introduced to the brotherhood. The brotherhood is a legendary secret society with the supposed of agenda of overthrowing Big Brother and the government. Although the reader never finds out if this secret brotherhood is real, it is intriguing that there are people out in Oceania with the courage to try to overthrow Big Brother.

=Discussion= The group will discuss attributes that make a brotherhood successful and we will talk about other secret societies/brotherhoods that exist or that are legend.

=Research= The group will research and find two brotherhoods/secret societies and then discuss those societies with the rest of the group.

[|Illuminati] cool article on the Illuminati

=Do you think it is possible for the Brotherhood to really exist in 1984?= = = =[|Secret Brotherhoods]= End of class fun. A look at all kinds of different societies.

=1984 Part 3= [|Lesson Plan 3] In this lesson plan the group and I are going to examine the use of mind control in the novel 1984. We will also examine the technique of Doublethink, a tool of psychological manipulation, used by Big Brother. =Discussion= The group will begin the lesson by simply talking about what Doublethink is. After that we will talk about other mind control tricks that are used in the world.

The group will brainstorm ways in which the government uses mind manipulation to control the masses.

[|Subliminal Messages] The group will draw their own subliminal messages.

[|Mind control techniques] How scary would it be if the government had the power of mind control? = = = = = = = =