Nebraska Capitol Forum

Class Statements 2010

School: Ashland Greenwood Public Schools

Teacher: Brian Petermann

Class: 12th Grade Government

Class Statement Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools We need to protect the homeland first and foremost, so we can fix our economy and protect the people who live in America. We also need to work with and take advice from international organizations. If we aren’t going to listen to what they say, what is the significance of being part of the organizations in the first place. In addition, we need to remain the global super power with strength around the world in order to maintain our standard of living and keep our currency value high. In our wars with Iraq and Vietnam, we had little to no global support, and both wars ended up being long drawn out wars that caused many Americans to lose their lives. Also, by intervening where they don’t want us causes blowback such as the 9/11 blowback for setting up no-fly zones in Iraq and bombing them for 10 years before. We need to keep a strong military to keep America safe but not to intervene just as John Quincy Adams said in his presidential farewell address in 1821, “But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.”

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School: Auburn High School

Teacher: Bryce Roth

Class: Junior – American Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Environmental policy – climate change. Nuclear weapons threat, terrorism – Al-Qaeda, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, the nuclear threat in North Korea.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Yes, many were important but for us the most pressing were terrorism and the war on terror. Repairing our image abroad and developing positive foreign relations. Our current economic crisis and the threat of our future inability to intercede in international conflicts.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We felt that some were, or at least were less of a priority… Immigration policy, as well as aiding/supporting developing nations, etc.

4) Class Statement In a more globalized world, the role of the U.S. should be to protect our interests abroad by promoting a more cooperative world to settle international conflicts / struggles. In order to address these costly issues in the long-run however, we must recognize that our ability to intercede internationally is in jeopardy. Our unstable economy and current domestic issues will threaten our ability to maintain our status as a world power and leader. Because of this, we must be committed to addressing our pressing domestic issues as well, if we are to maintain our global leadership role for the future.

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School: Bellevue West High School

Teacher: Mike McLaughlin

Class: 21st Century World Studies

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Terrorism Nuclear Proliferation Immigration U.S. Trade Policy Environmentalism

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We felt that terrorism and nuclear proliferation are the most important and are the most likely to have a direct impact on our lives. The problems facing the environment need to be addressed in a calm and scientific manner. Sensationalism in the environmental movement damages its credibility.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Trade policy was the least important partially because it is the hardest to understand and we had the least amount of previous knowledge. Immigration seems less important but that may be a result of living in the Midwest.

4) Class Statement

General Beliefs The United States needs to stop trying to be the babysitter to the rest of the world. As a country, we need to focus more on our problems than the problems faced by other countries. In an ideal world, all countries would share our love of freedom, individual liberty, and desire to stand up for what we believe in. However, we cannot expect all countries in the world to share our beliefs and need to stop attempting to impose our ways on others. We are suspicious of international organizations like the U.N. and should avoid joining any agreement that interferes with our sovereignty. We understand that our actions are not always popular, but we should do what we feel is right regardless of what others may think. The U.S. should set an example to the rest of the world and work to encourage – not demand – freedom and democracy.

Specific Beliefs

• Terrorism: -The United States should use a more restrained military approach to fighting terrorism while working together with our allies to eliminate a common global enemy -The United Nations is not the right place to fight terrorism -The United States must stop believing that the rest of the world thinks the way we do -The United States has made serious mistakes in the past, but we still are a source of good in the world
• Nuclear Proliferation -While we wish nuclear weapons did not exist, we feel their presence has prevented large-scale wars -The use of the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945 was regrettable, but necessary to save more American and Japanese lives -A future without nuclear weapons would be ideal. However, that is not realistic and the entire world must work together to prevent any future use of nuclear weapons - The United States should work to prevent nuclear proliferation, but we should not dictate which countries can or cannot possess nuclear weapons
• Environmentalism -It is important to care for the planet, however, man possesses the technology and adaptability to deal with environmental problems -The government should provide incentives to private businesses to develop alternatives to fossil fuels - The United States should dedicate its efforts internally to provide an example to the rest of the world on ways to be environmentally responsible -While man seems to have a good ability to pollute the Earth, we do not control the fate of this planet
• Immigration -We are empathetic to those who come to this country illegally, but there has to be limits on how many people enter the United States - The United States government needs to prosecute businesses that use illegal immigrant labor -Any non-citizen convicted of a crime should be returned to their country of origin -It is unrealistic to think that we can locate and remove the millions of illegal immigrants already here -The use of the English language should be a requirement for citizenship
• U.S. Trade Policy - The United States needs to stop telling other countries what to do. Therefore, we should trade with any country that can help our economy through trade - The United States government can help prevent the exporting of jobs by offering incentives to U.S. businesses to keep jobs in this country

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School: Cedar Catholic High School

Teacher: Audrey Freeman

Class: American History

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Health, Immigration, US Security, Nuclear Weapons, International Involvement, US Independence, Globalization, Economy, Poverty, Terrorism, Environmental Issues

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? As a group, we believe that international involvement, health, and the economy were important issues that need to be addressed and have widespread influence into other areas.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Everyone had a different view on the priorities that the United States should have. The class as a whole agreed that defining what the US’s role in the world is was essential, but our views on what that role should be was different. This included US security, terrorism, immigration, and US security.

4) Class Statement The United States’ purpose in the world is not to be completely focused on itself, but to be an example for other nations. However, the US should not force itself where it is not wanted and still needs to be concerned with domestic problems as well. Even though the US has become a beacon for freedom and personal liberties, we should not interfere with another nation’s rights. It is important for the US to remain true to its own roots of democratic principles and civil rights. We should not only get involved with other countries if it benefits the United States. Also, the US must be wary of interfering with other nations as we can make more enemies than friends. The role of the United States is to balance both domestic and foreign responsibilities rather than focusing completely on globalization or While the world may need the help of the US, it is also important to remember the responsibilities the country has to its own citizens. By the United States finding this balance, we will be able to ensure life, liberty, and happiness for all people.

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School: Centura High School

Teacher: George Lytle

Class: American Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Immigration, proliferation of nuclear weapons, economic globalization & international trade, environmental issues, terrorism, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and national security.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Immigration and the state of the global economy.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Proliferation of nuclear weapons and the environment.

4) Class Statement We believe that our nation, as a world leader, has a moral obligation to lead by example. In doing so, we must prioritize the economic needs of Americans and balance them with the needs of the developing world. We must also work cooperatively to foster and maintain a viable global economic system while promoting the principles of democracy. Our government must seek to resolve the illegal immigrant problem through the promotion of American citizenship or deportation for those unwilling to comply.

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School: Crawford High School

Teacher: Mary Gould-Traphagan

Class: Choices Class

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed immigration, nuclear weapons, national security, the economy and the U.S. role in the world.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We felt that national security and the economy were essential to the future.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We have agreed that the even though the environment is an important issue, it was not a priority.

4) Class Statement Globalization is connecting our world more and more. As a world leader we are setting an example for future democracies. Our country needs to work on our own issues of national debt, our economy, health care, immigration and the threat of nuclear weapons. We need to take care of ourselves first before we can assist the rest of the world.

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School: Dodge High School

Teacher: Mr. Mitch Hoffer

Class: Current Issues

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Immigration, Terrorism, and Trade

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We think that Economy, Terrorism, and Global Environment are the most important because they directly affect us regardless of race gender, and social status.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We believe that all of the topics are important just that we need to focus on the topics that affect us daily. Some of the topics we believe we can avoid through careful planning. The topics that we have chosen we think will affect each and every one of us eventually.

4) Class Statement We believe that the U.S., as a prominent and powerful nation should lead the movement to better our world by solving our global problems. We must lead by example, and help other nations to help themselves.

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School: Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart

Teacher: Mrs. Heidi Reinhart

Class: World Cultures

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Terrorism, the role of the United States in the World, poverty, nuclear proliferation, human rights, Google in China, micro entrepreneurs in Africa, liberation theology in Latin America

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Human rights and our response to them, dictatorships and the war on terror need to be addressed, communication with other countries in forums like the UN, education about other nations and cultures, stability in certain parts of the world—in order to move toward a cooperative point of view. How are we going to get some countries to cooperate?

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Yes—human rights, stability of all nations, ending poverty and increasing global understanding.

4) Class Statement: The United States, as a member of a more cooperative world, commits to the following five goals:

Goal 1: An active commitment to global understanding and formation of a world in which global understanding is the norm.

• Criteria 1: NGOs and other civilian run organizations work to encourage understanding and acceptance of peoples everywhere through education.
• Criteria 2: Students are encouraged participate in cultural exchange programs or have contact with a person from another culture (As pen pals or through email.) to facilitate learning and communication.
• Criteria 3: Arm our soldiers with knowledge and encourage kindness to the locals, so that they become not only warriors but ambassadors, and represent our country well.
• Criteria 4: By following these criteria, we commit to a world where foreign countries are not simply seen as "the enemy", but as a valuable group of fellow human beings, and to replace feelings of tension, hate, and mistrust with feeling of cooperation, acceptance, and understanding.

Goal 2: A deep respect for intellectual values through the education of all people including women and children everywhere.

• Criteria 1: To develop a world where families can make enough money so that they can afford to live without their children’s income, thus freeing their children to attend school.
• Criteria 2: To create programs in developing nations that teach skills people need like literacy, farming practices and safe medical practices.
• Criteria 3: To use education as a way of transforming lives and opening new doors for people.

Goal 3: A global conscience which impels to action.

• Criteria 1: Decrease water, air and soil pollution by 50% in the next 50 years.
• Criteria 2: Increase recycling programs.
• Criteria 3: Require all citizens to be involved in environmental protection on local and national levels.
• Criteria 4: Discover and use more pure forms of fuel.
• Criteria 5: Fight against deforestation, poaching and pollution.

Goal 4: The building of a global community which respects human rights.

• Criteria 1: To uphold the basic rights of humans of human being; regardless of race, religion, gender or social class.
• Criteria 2: To make new laws against human rights violations in our own country; and encourage the same in other countries.
• Criteria 3: To Focus on human rights violations in other countries, so as to raise awareness and bring the tragic, devastating effects of these violations to the attention of the world.

Goal 5: The tolerance of a diverse world with respect to religious, political and social values.

• Criteria 1: To start the process within our own country by no longer making politics a rivalry between parties but rather a people who can respectfully disagree.
• Criteria 2: To take the initiative to create a world where religions are not stereotyped or generalized by the radical extremes that are more often portrayed than the truth.
• Criteria 3: To break down the walls of ignorance about other cultures with education and peaceful interactions.

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School: Falls City High School

Teacher: Lori Rech

Class: College American History

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss?

• American imperialism and expansion overseas (19th to 21st century)
• Expanding Americanism overseas to places we have fought wars and the importance of trade in the 21st century

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they?

• Terrorism and the threat of nuclear weapons in the 21st century
• History of immigration and the current immigration issues facing the United States

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones?

• When faced with issues of nuclear weapons and terrorism and immigration on U.S. borders we felt that the environment took a back seat in terms of important issues.

4) Class Statement Terrorism and the threat of nuclear weapons threatens global trade and could impact the United States both politically and economically in the 21st century.

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School: Grand Island Senior High School

Teacher: Tamara Bailey

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Our group has discussed Immigration, Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism and the Environment

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We feel that every topic we’ve discussed is important.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We have not discussed trade yet, but we feel that all 5 issues are equally important because they all impact our country, are all interconnected and all will continue to shape our country.

4) Class Statement After discussing these central issues, we have come to an agreement that it’s necessary for the United States to keep it’s own priorities in mind before trying to take care of the rest of the world. Once we as a nation have those issues under control, with a strong economy, stricter immigration policies and a plan to respond to terrorism, we will be more equipped to aide the world.

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School: Hampton High School

Teacher: Patrick Alexander

Class: Government – Seniors

Class Statement: The world is becoming more connected through globalization. So as a nation it is our job to help bring everyone in the world together for the good of the people and environment while keeping in consideration the importance of our own well being. By helping other countries it will in turn help us and our economy. But we cannot stand alone; we need the help of other countries in order for the world to prosper.

Nuclear Weapons: As a country we need to work with other countries that already have nuclear weapons so that we may stop production and contain the weapons to countries that already have them. We as a world cannot allow the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorist organizations so we must work through the U.N. in order to control the spread of these weapons. The U.N. can use their weapons inspectors to aid in the search and seizure of nuclear weapons. The eventual goal is to reduce the amount of weapons and keep a minimal amount for world peace.

Immigration: The goal of the United States will be to lead a world wide effort to help underdeveloped countries that are struggling economically, socially, and environmentally. We feel that if we can help improve conditions in these countries less people will feel the need to immigrate. Our goal is not to remove those in our country nor put up a wall, physically or culturally, but improve conditions so they may be free to enjoy their own native land.

Terrorism: The United States needs to continue to work through the UN so we have the cooperation of other nations to help eliminate problems with terrorist groups. These problems may include the terrorist themselves or the problems underlying terrorism. We feel that if the problems which create terrorists are eliminated, then the acts of these people can be avoided.

International Trade: Fair and free trade. We want to eliminate unfair trade and decrease the gap between developed and undeveloped countries. As a nation we would like to increase the living wage in poverty stricken areas. So by creating fair and free trade the goal of the United States is to eliminate the low wages and help create stable living environment.

Environment: The United States needs to become a leader in green technology and must help promote the technology in underdeveloped countries. By increasing green technology, the United States can lessen its dependence on foreign oil. We must work with other countries to promote the use of energy efficient cars, conserving energy and increase awareness in underdeveloped countries about the harm being done to the planet.

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School: Hastings High School

Teacher: Robert Kerr

Class: AP European History

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Nuclear weapons, environmental issues, terrorism, and international trade.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Environmental issues, international trade, and immigration.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Nuclear weapons.

4) Class Statement The U. S. should pursue environmentally friendly policies to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. This would include cleaner power generation, hybrid cars, recycling, and expanded mass transit. With regard to trade, the U. S. should focus on protecting jobs at home by trying to get other nations to be more open with their markets. We should be prepared militarily to combat terrorism, but must also promote democracy in those nations with links to terrorism so that the citizens of those nations can work to improve their own nations instead of targeting ours. Nuclear weapon stockpiles should be reduced significantly, but not eliminated. The world is too unpredictable for the U. S. not to have nuclear weapons as a last defense. With high unemployment at the national level, the U. S. needs to battle illegal immigration more than ever. Legal immigration should be linked to the labor skills needed in our economy.

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School: Hemingford High School

Teacher: Dave Chatelain

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Trade and the Global Economy, Mexico at the Crossroads, and the U.S. Role in a Changing World

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Trade and the National Debt

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Immigration is an issue that carries great importance however we view other concerns with more urgency at this time.

4) Class Statement At Hemingford High School we believe that our country should work with international trade organizations to improve specific rules and regulations that affect our countries economy negatively. It is our belief that a strong U.S. Economy benefits the rest of the world in a dynamic and positive way. With that in mind we believe that we should consider reducing the outsourcing of jobs, improve domestic food safety and diversify our U.S. energy production. In an effort to accomplish these goals we should not lose sight of the world goal of improving our environment by intensifying the technologies required to further green industry.

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School: Holdrege High School

Teacher: Mr. Chad Bailey

Class: American Government 2010

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? All five topics: Trade, Immigration, Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism and the Environment.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Trade, Terrorism and the new Nuclear Age

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Immigration

4) Class Statement At Holdrege High School we believe that foreign trade is very beneficial to the United States because it helps to create foreign relations and stimulate the world economy. We also believe that Nuclear Weapons should only be used when they are ABSOLUTELY necessary for the protection of the citizens of the United States. Terrorism has been a problem in the United States and the world for many decades; we need to find a way to minimize this at all costs. We believe the immigration is good to a certain extent because it brings diversity but it takes away jobs from those who are citizens and pay taxes. Also we believe that all undocumented immigrants should be required to file for citizenship or be sent back home.

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School: Howells High School

Teacher: Scott Polacek

Class: Sociology

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? National debt, Environmental issues, immigration

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? National debt

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Nuclear weapons because everyone has them but nobody is talking much about them these days.

4) Class Statement Although America needs to be an example to the rest of the world the American people should not have to fund these operations by themselves. We have an incredible national debt and yet we continue to give money to third world countries. We have our own problems that must be fixed first. We must finish what we started in Iraq. Obama needs to form some of his own environmental policies because he adopted all of Bush's policies. Obama needs to focus on one problem in order to accomplish more. In conclusion, America needs to prioritize by putting our interests first.

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School: Lincoln North Star

Teacher: Jace Ahlberg

Class: Advanced Placement Government and Politics

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? International Trade-outsourcing, monetary value, and working conditions Nuclear Proliferation-reduction of nuclear weapons, fear of terrorist getting control of nuclear weapons, and the increase in world wide nuclear energy use. Global Environment-pollution from one country affects others. Needs to be dealt with on an international stage. Terrorism-international struggle against growing terrorism, change from the conventional wars of the past.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Trade with the other countries of the world have a world wide effect. The recent economic condition is a result of world wide dependence on the trade. The fear of terrorist becoming capable of using nuclear weapons in the world.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Immigration was determined to be an issue that would if left uncontrolled would eventually rectify itself.

4) Class Statement We the students of Advanced Government and Politics at Lincoln North Star High School under the instruction of Jason Ahlberg, declare our unwavering fascination, passion and determination to learn and discuss the roles of the government on a global scale. We aspire to learn more about our communities, our state and our federal government in our efforts to mature as citizens and to grow as young adults. We have studied the government’s role in Terrorism, Climate Change, Nuclear proliferation, immigration and international trade. We firmly believe the future of America will be dependent upon the stance and energy put forward by the United States Government in regards to these issues.

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School: Millard West High School

Teacher: Alicia Bragg

Class: AP Comparative Government and Politics

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed the current problems in Nigeria as well as Iran. Nigeria has faced centuries of discontinuity in their government and that has affected how they are viewed, the stability of the government and the cleavages that they face. In Iran, they face cleavages of their own. They have a battle between the different kinds Muslims in their country. We have also begun to discuss the genocides in Darfur and recent ones such as Rwanda.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? We agreed that any issues pertaining to human life are more important than anything else. Whenever people are dying or hungry, the people from Millard West High School are not happy. We hope that if anything comes from this conference, it will be an end to human suffering.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We think that cleavage is one of the less important issues facing the world right now. That is, unless they lead to human suffering. Rwandan Cleavage caused a civil war, something we do not stand for.

4) Class Statement In an ever changing, globalized world, we know that all four of our topics are very important. The threat of nuclear bombs and terrorism, trade with other countries and immigration are all items that will develop into much larger items in the next few years. By attending capital forum we hope to learn more about these items.

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School: Norfolk High School

Teacher: Katherine Steinkamp

Class: Advanced Placement Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Global Climate Change, Trade with China, Iran’s Nuclear Proliferation, U.S. Dependence on Middle Eastern and other foreign sources of oil

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class felt that economic stability and national security were the two most important issues.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Yes, we felt that immigration and U.S. superiority in the world were secondary.

4) Class Statement During our class discussions at Norfolk High School, the topics of economic stability and national security were consistently brought up as the most significant issues. We feel that we must deal with these two before we tackle any other issues. One of the most vital issues affecting economic stability for the United States is our dependence on the Middle East for oil. Some solutions for this problem include alternative energy, off-shore drilling, nuclear power, and drilling in Alaska. National security is also a major issue facing the United States right now. We believe that the United States’ current problem with nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea has only one solution other than war: Hard-hitting sanctions. For these sanctions to have the desired effect, the United States needs to have the United Nations and our allies on our side. Our class deems economic stability and national security must be assured before we take on the problems of other nations.

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School: North Platte High School

Teacher: N. Dennis Fornander

Class: A

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Iran Poverty Terrorism/Militant Groups World Debt Environment Immigration

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Terrorism and Nuclear Threats Poverty

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? World Debt Environment Immigration

4) Class Statement We believe that the most pressing issue facing the world and the United States today is violent acts involving foreign nations, namely terrorism. However when a nation combats terror, it must search for the source. We concluded that terrorism and acts of arbitrary violence result from poverty. We believe that a country wrought with poverty is more likely to become unstable than a country where a larger percentage of the citizens are middle or upper class.

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School: Pius X High School

Teacher: Tom Seib

Class: AP American Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? We have discussed United States foreign policy, terrorism and activity in a globalized world.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Our class felt that trade, security, stopping genocide and health/environment were the most important issues facing our world today.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We feel that all of the issues we have discussed are important and none should be ignored.

4) Class Statement: We believe that the United States plays a vital role in a globalized world. The United States must be a role model without being intrusive in every area, but especially trade, security, health and environmental issues and stopping genocide. International cooperation is essential in moving the world forward.

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School: Platteview High School

Teacher: Mr. Comine

Class: AP Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Nuclear Weapons, Immigration, Economy, and Terrorism

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? All of our issues were of equal importance

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones?

4) Class Statement As a class we have decided that the economy has become too interrelated to avoid free trade. Free trade will help our international relations as well as help our economy. Our stance on Nuclear Weapons is that of anti-proliferation. We believe that it is necessary for the United States to have Nuclear Weapons on the sole reason of defense; they should not be used as a bartering chip. Terrorism is something our class does not take lightly because we experienced it first hand during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The Geneva Convention does not protect terrorists therefore we should expand our military’s mandate on terrorism. Finally, immigration is a topic that everyone feels strongly about but no one has the answer. We have come to a conclusion that something needs to be done to either make the illegal immigrants legal or do away with all illegal immigrants as a whole.

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School: Rising City Public School

Teacher: Hrabik School:

Class: American Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Immigration, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, internal national affairs, world democracy International relations, world peace; all were issues we discussed in class. The issue that we decided on was International relations and world peace.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? The environment, economy, immigration, internal national affairs are all issues that we as a class agree are important, Yes, We need peace and equality to help guarantee international relations with world peace. But, some of us believe that there is no equality left in the world just look at the immigration policy of the US.

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Leading the world to democracy, and Nuclear proliferation are issues that we do not believe are as important, but they still have a place at the table of discussion.

4) Class Statement Compromise and equality are essential to be able to run a successful and peaceful world.

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School: Sterling High School

Teacher: Mr. Arlo Wusk

Class: Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Nuclear Weapons, International Trade, Terrorism, and Environment.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Nuclear Weapons and Terrorism

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Environment

4) Class Statement In 2001, one month after 9/11, a report was given to the White House that a nuclear weapon had been smuggled into New York City by the terrorist group Al Qaeda. Showing that the threat of stolen nuclear weapons is current, we feel that nuclear weapons can be a very dangerous weapon if put in the hands of the wrong people. This is part of terrorism. These two topics are linked due to the fact that terrorists may possess these weapons. The use of a nuclear weapon today would change our society and leave long lasting affects in trade, immigration, and the environment. America needs to continue its focus on the fight of terrorism and to prevent the use of mass destructive weapons.

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School: Twin River

Teacher: Sidwell

Class: Government

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? Immigration, environmentalism, terrorism, and world trade. The changing elements throughout the world. Lack of resources, working together to solve problems such as climate change and nuclear proliferation.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Immigration, terrorism, trade, nuclear proliferation, and the global economy

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Climate change, international and domestic crime

4) Class Statement As the world begins to take shape, we are becoming more and more interconnected. We are faced with problems such as; immigration, global trade, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism, that cross international borders. The United States must cooperate with other nations and respect their choices. The United States must work with other developed nations in helping the world’s developing nations. The United States cannot stand alone, we need to learn how to cooperate with other nations to create a better world.

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School: West Holt High School

Teacher: Chris Nemetz

Class: Modern Problems

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? National Debt, Immigration, Terrorism, Iraq War, Health Care, National Defense, Environment, and Energy.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? National Debt, Immigration, Terrorism

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? Environment is somewhat overlooked.

4) Class Statement: As a class we have researched and discussed numerous issues that affect America and other nations. We found that a few of these issues have precedence over others. Terrorism, national debt, and illegal immigration are the issues we found extremely important in today’s world. Terrorism is a concern of many students. Personal safety is important to most people, especially after recent terrorist attempts. As a class we do not want to live in fear. Fear the airplane you are on might blow up, or fear of anthrax being released. To avoid terrorist attacks like this, we decided the best way is to take preventative measures. The national debt affects the lives of many, since it has been rising at a high rate and now exceeds twelve and a half trillion dollars. This is an unfathomable amount which causes fear. If America ever has trouble paying this debt it would not only cause problems in the U.S. economy, but also in the global economy. A global recession could damage numerous countries and affect the lives of billions. Something the class and world residents would not like to see happen. Reduction of this debt would lessen the fear of many. The final major issue is illegal immigration. Illegal aliens are commonplace today with an estimated 12 million of them in the U.S. Putting this into perspective, nearly one out of every twenty-five people living in the U.S. is illegal. We found that to be a disturbingly large number. You may ask us why illegal aliens should not be allowed to live in the U.S.? There are many reasons such as they hurt the U.S. economy, take jobs away from Americans, and do not pay taxes. Current initiatives to stop illegal aliens are not working effectively. We decided we needed to find and stop the source of the problem; instead of deporting them once they have entered.

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School: Wilcox-Hildreth

Teacher: Ken Meyers

Class: Jr. American History

1) What specific international issues did your class discuss? We discussed the environment, trade, terrorism, drugs, both legal and illegal immigration and the challenges of nuclear weapons. Couple of the students felt the United States should flex its muscles more. If the United States is the leader of the world, we need to start expressing our expectations even more.

2) Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they? Not all of the class agreed to one specific issue as being important. We all have different views as to the reason why issues are important, e.g. farming and its impact on the environment, question who is a terrorist, impact of “cap and trade,” etc..

3) Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones? We feel that all issues discussed are important in someway. Therefore we felt that all issues need to be continually debated.

4) Class Statement Terrorists, or persons who use violence against other people because of religious, political, economic, or racial views, can attack anyone, anywhere, at any time. Therefore, to deal with terrorism we believe it will require an international effort. The greatest fear of nuclear proliferation will be the threat of dirty bombs being used by extremist groups and/or rogue nations. We feel the United Nations should take a more active role in dealing with rogue nations and allow the IAEA to have more power. The environment should also be an international effort in which we cannot have extremist views. We also believe that through science and technology we can correct the evils to improve the environment. The United States should instigate a free trade policy with those countries that will participate in such a policy. We believe that free trade in the long run would end up benefiting all of the countries participating. The United States needs to have better control over its borders in order to reduce the number of illegal immigrants coming into our Nation. However, the United States needs to do more to assist the legal immigrants. We believe the United States must continue its role as world leader. The United States needs to work with the other nations in order to meet all nations’ needs but at the same time not compromise its standards and beliefs.

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