Civics Review

Click below and find a helpful review for your FINAL questions about U.S. government and politics.

Advanced Placement Final Exam Review.

MMVIII: “A Really Big Shoe”

2008 will go down as a watershed year. Like 1968, this past year is worthy of another posthole for our memories. Ed Sullivan, the long time CBS variety show host, would have called it “a really big shew.”

Here are just a few of the memorable moments:

In January crude oil topped $100 per barrel for the first time in history. The shock of it all sent seismic waves through the entire economy. The oil crisis of 2008 permanently changed our thinking about energy.

In February Fidel Castro announced his resignation as President of Cuba. A Western Hemisphere bad guy for over fifty years, a Caribbean without Castro may allow us to put the Cold War to bed once and for all.

In March Tibetan separatists raged against their government machine. The talk of human rights around the world escalated as well. Our attention was peaked.

In April two bionic eyes were implanted in an Eye Hospital in London. In a world reeling from self-doubt, medical marvels like this energize our confidence. Our innovative tendencies remind us that hope is still our greatest natural resource.

In May a deadly earthquake in China killed over 70,000. Mother nature still rules despite our misplaced sense of mastery over our time and space. 2008 reaffirmed our mortal vulnerabilities.

In June Bill Gates stepped down as Chairman of Microsoft Corporation. Our self-made billionaire and crowned Geek modeled the ultimate American ideal; make all you can, save all you can and give away all you can. Not all of the Captains of Industry were Robber Barons.

In July we witnessed the heroic rescue of hostages taken by FARC in Columbia. Crime does not pay despite ample evidence to the contrary. Intelligence can still live up to its name.

In August the Beijing Olympics captured our attention. Soon thereafter Michael Phelps captured everything else by winning 8 Gold Medals.

In September the world’s first privately developed space vehicle successfully orbited the earth. SpaceX’s Falcon 1 proved again that fooling around with the junk in the garage could in fact be productive. The frontier has not closed yet. We keep reaching for the stars.

In October the global financial crisis induced the United States government to enact a $700 billion bailout package. The Treasury Fund allowed the government to buy back troubled securities. More so it proved again what Madison said two hundred years ago, “if men were angels we would not need government.”

In November Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. Camelot meets Obamalot.

In December Théoneste Bagosora and two other senior Rwandan army officers were convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. They were sentenced to life imprisonment. We were reminded that truth and justice were not uniquely American pursuits.

And will we ever forget the Iraqi journalist who threw his two shoes at President George Bush during a press conference?

2008 reminded us of our inherent limitations and failings. Our ability, however, to overcome, to be innovative, to act out for the goodness of all, to laugh remains strong. In an age known for its uncertainty, we have reason to be hopeful. In the words of Ed Sullivan, 2008 was “a really big shew.”

In fact it was “a really big shoe.”

Puzzled?

The 2 Regular Guys have been attending to their schoolwork, CBS2 School that is.  Watch and learn at cbs2chicago.com/school. 

In the mean time see if you can solve their Supreme Court sudoku.  Send in your solved puzzles via a comment.

9.3.2008

Join us for the rest of the week at www.cbs2chicago.com/school as Mr. Larsen and Mr. Conneen (CBS 2 Regular Guys) visit the RNC in St. Paul explain to students of government why this civics pep rally still matters.

8.24.2008

Join us for the next two weeks at www.cbs2chicago.com/school as Mr. Larsen and Mr. Conneen (CBS 2 Regular Guys) visit both nominating conventions and explain to students of government why these civics pep rallies still matter.

Remember the Sabbatical and Keep it Wholly

Everybody needs rest.

Andy and Dan, the 2 Regular Guys, have been busy exploring new classrooms at CBS2 School (visit at cbs2chicago.com/school). Those lessons will continue during the summer.

We would nevertheless like to thank those that frequent CitizenU. You are our most faithful students. You are seated at the head of our class.

CitizenU will be on an extended vacation this summer. Check back in the Fall for new civic opportunties. Although a big vote confronts us in the Fall, there is no better choice than deciding today to become an engaged citizen.

Review for Your A.P. American Government and Politics Exam Here

Disraeli said, "With words we govern men." Which words? Here is a start-up list of the Big Ten words in American Government and Politics. CitizenU calls it The Primer. Enjoy . . . it is only the beginning.

Preface to the CitizenU Primer.

Theory: Separation of Powers.

Federalism: Federalism.

Media: 4th Estate.

Campaigns: Handlers.

Participation: Suffrage.

Political Parties: Big Tent.

Interest Groups: Mother's Milk of Politics.

President: Bully Pulpit.

Congress: Cup and Saucer.

Courts: Rule of Law.