Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford of Southern Arizona Shot At Constituent Event

[Kevin]

It's not the defense attorney's place to approve of or condemn their client's actions. Only to ensure that they have a fair trial where all available defenses are presented honestly and competently. Without that, the system doesn't work.

[AZTheta]

Judy Clarke represented Loughner yesterday at the arraignment in Phoenix. The entire Tucson Federal bench recused itself, as Judge Roll was Chief Judge here in Tucson. The Federal trial will likely be held in Phoenix; and there may also be State charges filed in the death of Christina-Taylor Green, as well as regarding the other victims. A few words about Ms. Clarke:

"Those who know Judy Clarke say she’s never shied away from defending some of the most reviled people in recent history. She represented Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. Her other clients include Atlanta Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph, 9/11 co-conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui and Susan Smith, the South Carolina mother who drowned her two sons in 1994.

“She’s a specialist in representing people charged with some of the most heinous crimes you can imagine and she does it with a great deal of compassion, objectivity and thoroughness.” "

Her website has been changed and reveals the following:

http://www.jcsrlaw.net/

[AGDee]

Wow.

[AZTheta]

Vito, is it called Government or something of the sort? Times have changed (we had typing, not keyboarding )

ETA: Ms. Clarke was consulted on the McVeigh case, and there is conflicting information on the web as to whether she actually represented him.

[knight_shadow]

When I was in HS (c/o 2002), we had a government class, but it was an AP elective.

I took it, but I don't think others were required to.

[AGDee]

Government/Civics and Phys Ed were the ONLY required courses when I was in high school in 1983. You had to have a certain number of math, english, etc., but those were the only two named as mandatory. It is still required in the state of Michigan.

[Chicago88]

My Government / History / English were all taught by coaches who particularly didn't give a shit. Theyre required but didn't require much effort.

[knight_shadow]

English and history were taught by coaches? That's unfortunate.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

English and history were taught by coaches? That's unfortunate.

Hold up bro, I know a lot of good teachers who coach as a collateral duty. Educator first, coach second kid of thing.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Hold up bro, I know a lot of good teachers who coach as a collateral duty. Educator first, coach second kid of thing.

That's never been my experience.

In middle and high school, they were coaches first and ____ second. I had one class with a coach and he was EXTREMELY bored and didn't bother teaching that much. I heard similar stories from classmates who had coaches for other subjects.

[Chicago88]

Sophmore english- volleyball coach
Junior english- football coach
Senior english- cheerleading coach.

[ThetaDancer]

It breaks my heart that government & civics courses are (apparently) not being taught. I also feel really naive because I had no idea that these weren't completely standard, basic courses.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

Vito, is it called Government or something of the sort? Times have changed (we had typing, not keyboarding )

ETA: Ms. Clarke was consulted on the McVeigh case, and there is conflicting information on the web as to whether she actually represented him.

Illinois requires/required a constitution test in Jr. High and in High School. Passing was required to graduate each. In high school we took up some of our American History class with it. I believe we had to be able to write the preamble.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

hey drole...BTW...no, it's not about politics, but what the article was stating is that had certain laws regarding his firearms were still in place, there would have been the possibility that he may not have caused so much damage.

That's not how causality works. Disregarding the concept that if the law had been in place so many things about reality would have been changed that this guy could have been dead, living elsewhere, or not had the experiences that exacerbated his mental illness... It's still silly. What ifs don't serve anyone here. In reality if he wanted to do damage he would have found a way. But what if he had been prohibited from carrying a gun? Well then he might have made pipe bombs. It doesn't help anything at all.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

It breaks my heart that government & civics courses are (apparently) not being taught. I also feel really naive because I had no idea that these weren't completely standard, basic courses.

I wasn't aware the basics weren't taught either. IIRC we had civics of some sort twice before senior year in separate units, when Government/Economics were required classes. I've always assumed it was a state requirement, but it's never occurred to me to ask any of my friends who attended other state schools if they had the same requirement or not. I loathed Econ, but my Gov teacher was at least enthusiastic and pushed those of us that were 18 by the 2004 election to educate ourselves, then vote. Which I appreciate, since so many people don't actually know who or what they're voting for IMO.

Re: coaches as teachers...I've had few coach-teachers, but out of the three I had only one appeared to care more about coaching than teaching. The other two weren't amazing teachers, but they were perfectly adequate. They aren't all bad.

[BAckbOwlsgIrl]

TUCSON - Pam Simon, a part-time outreach coordinator for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was collecting information from constituents as they stood in line to speak with the legislator outside a Safeway near Tucson on Saturday morning.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...-shooting.html