http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sun, 19 May 2013 19:43:40 PDT Sun, 19 May 2013 19:43:40 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=690005 This is a series of 100 podcasts.'Featuring Slate's Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, the Gabfest aims to recreate the kind of informal and irreverent discussions Washington journalists have after hours over drinks. You can join the discussion on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/gabfest.'According to one user, 'I have been listening to podcasts for about six months now and this is my first review. I feel compelled to post a review due to its excellence. I am a political junkie and listen to many different podcasts from the various news outlets and find this to be one of the best and one that I cannot miss. I must warn you that the show is to the left of center but is done in an informative and entertaining manner.' http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=673593 ID Lesson Plan on the Bill of Rights. Students will learn about the protections and rights that are found in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. They will create a Prezi Presentation that explains each amendment and creates a story that shows how that amendment protects our rights. Example: Fifth Amendment: Due Process - Double Jeopardy. Explanation: a procedural defence that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction.Story: Robert is accussed of stealing a car but when he goes to trial, he found not guilty of grand theft auto. A day later, a video surfaces that shows that Robert actually did steal the car. As a result of Double Jeopardy found in fifth amendment, Robert cannot be charged again for that same crime. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565958 San Diego City Council Member Carl DeMaio says that retirement benefits for city workers are at unsustainable levels and are driving the city to insolvency or bankruptcy. In this interview with Fox Business, DeMaio blames the citys powerful unions and says the city must take drastic action to avoid insolvency. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565852 Should big internet access providers by allowed to give priority to certain kinds of data flowing over their networks or should the internet be neutral with respect to how data is handle? Both sides claim to be on the side of the consumer. This clip provides a basic introduction to the controversy over net neutrality. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565967 A detailed look at the career of former Texas Congressman Tom DeLay, and the criminal investigation that ended his political life in 2006. Mark Birnbaum and Jim Schermbecks documentary follows the lengthy investigation by Texass Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, the prosecutor who finally brought down the Congressman. DeLay was notorious for repeated alleged instances of laundering illegal corporate contributions through the Republican Party. Known to colleagues as The Hammer, he was a strict enforcer of party loyalty. Through Earle, we get an insiders view of the campaign fund-raising charges and the infamous Republican lawmakers efforts to redraw the states Congressional districts. Featuring interviews with authors and commentators Molly Ivins and Jim Hightower, and with footage of DeLay, lobbyist Jack Abramoff and President George W. Bush.NOTE: This film must be purchased. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565981 Dubais inability to repay its massive debt caused a brief panic in Asian and European markets, but nearby Emirate Abu Dhabi has stepped up with a $10 billion bailout. The bailout suggests that smaller, poorer countries can rely on their powerful neighbors to rescue them in tough times. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565818 In 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, named for a production supervisor at Goodyear who filed a pay discrimination suit against her employer. The Presidents speech emphasizes the importance of fair and equal pay to a healthy democracy. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=565930 Using only dialogue spoken by characters in (copyrighted) Walt Disney films, this humorous video briefly reviews the laws covering copyright and fair use and bemoans the lengthening of the copyright period in the U.S. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=566012 Filmmaker Hanson Hosein follows up his documentary Independent America The Two-Lane Search for Mom and Pop with an exploration of the struggle to rebuild New Orleans in wake of Hurricane Katrina. Three years after the hurricane, many communities still lack basic amenities, despite endless promises from the government. Even worse, big-box stores receive aid and subsidies while small businesses suffer. New Orleans business owners protest government favoritism and demand a level playing field to rebuild their communities without interference. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=566073 Clay Christensen, Professor at Harvard Business School, discusses the impact of disruption on incumbents vs. innovators and just how this will affect the healthcare challenges in a democracy.