Blog #9

A 29 year old woman was robbed at gunpoint on Monday in the 17th Street Food Lion parking lot. She was sitting outside in her car, counting her money when a man got in the passenger seat and pointed a gun at her. Then he took her cash and fled on foot through the parking lot. The man is described as a white male, between the age of 20 and 30, 6 foot tall, and around 170 pounds. He was wearing a baseball cap and a bandana that covered the lower portion of his face. First of all, the lady should not have been sitting in her car counting money, especially with the doors unlocked! And the man was definitely wrong for getting in her car and taking her money, and with a gun?! This whole situation is just ridiculous and could have been avoided.
This relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with the judicial branch of the government. If the man is caught, he has the right to know what he is being arrested for. He also has the right to a trial in front of his peers. If convicted, he cannot be subject to cruel or unusual punishment.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20131217/ARTICLES/131219747/1037/news?Title=Woman-robbed-at-gunpoint-in-Food-Lion-parking-lot

Blog #8

Ronald Bellamy pleaded guilty to killing two brothers in 2010. He was sentenced to a minimum of 200 months and a maximum of 249 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of second degree murder in 2010. The victims were Lee Otis Vereen and his brother Jerome Williams. According to the district attorney's office, Bellamy and several others planned to rob Vereen of drugs and money, but during the robbery Vereen and Williams were killed. I just don't understand why people have to kill other people, especially for something as stupid as drugs and money. How do you explain to someone's family that their loved one has been murdered in a robbery for drugs and money? It's just ridiculous.

This article relates to United States government and politics because it deals with the judicial system and how they are handling the punishment for these crimes. Several of the others included in this crime have already been arrested and punished.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20131204/ARTICLES/131209882/1037/news?Title=Man-pleads-guilty-in-double-murder

Blog #7

Gregglin White was sentenced as a habitual felon and ordered to serve a minimum of 4.8 years to a maximum of 6.8 years in a state prison for selling blue-colored crack cocaine. He pleaded guilty on Monday in Brunswick County Superior Court to felony sale of cocaine. He already has multiple previous felony convictions that include the sale of cocaine. An investigation by the District Attorney's office led to the arrest of White after he sold the crack cocaine to an agent of the sheriff's office on two occasions. This blue crack cocaine is more potent than regular crack cocaine. A search warrant on White's home revealed additional blue crack cocaine, as well as items used to manufacture and weigh it. I think that he should have been under supervision since he already had felonies dealing with the sale of cocaine. He was apparently trying to imitate someone on a tv show, but that is no excuse. He should have known better. Just because it is okay in movies and on tv does not mean it is okay in real life.

This relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with the judicial branch. White had the right to not incriminate himself. He also had the right to a jury trial in front of his peers. He has the right to no cruel and unusual punishment.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20131119/ARTICLES/131119648/1037/news?Title=Man-behind-blue-colored

Blog #6

Two men were arrested in an armed robbery at a Hooper Road home. Alton Aireese Williams, Jr., was arrested Thursday, and is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. No bond has been set, and Williams will make his first court appearance Friday. Torrance Lemar Shaw was arrested Monday. He was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He is in Brunswick County jail and the bond is $100,000. Warrants for Williams and Shaw show that the two used handguns to threaten a man and woman before taking $320 from them. I don't think it's right to try and rob someone, especially when you are risking your life to take $320! That is ridiculous.

This story relates to United States Government and Politics because it relays to the way our police systems and court systems work. It deals with the accused having the right to a trial by jury, and a jury trial in front of your peers. Also, there can be no cruel and unusual punishment.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20131107/ARTICLES/131109731/1004/ARTICLES?Title=Two-men-arrested-in-armed-robbery&tc=ar

Blog #5

12 year old Jose Reyes is in 7th grade at Sparks Middle School in Nevada. He has been identified as the assailant in the shooting at his school on Monday. He killed a teacher and wounded two other students before turning the gun on himself. The city came under pressure from media organizations to provide the name after police refused, saying they wanted to respect Reyes's family. City officials later acknowledged a report from the Univision affiliate in Reno that disclosed the name and said they would release it publicly to be fair to families and other media outlets. Students at the school have told reporters that they watched a video about bullying earlier this month. the video includes a dramatization of a female bullying victim who brings a gun on the school bus to scare the aggressors.
I think that it was wrong for that 12 year old to go to school and shoot other people, and then shoot himself. Many people do not feel like they have any other choice, but they do. They could talk to someone about their problems and that person could help them overcome the situation. Innocent people did not need to die because of this.
This relates to United States Government and Politics because it talks about how the media covered the story. At first the police refused to give the name of the gunman, but they later did to be fair to families and other media outlets.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20131024/APA/1310240533?tc=ar

Blog #3

Wilmington Native Running for Congress

State Rep. Rodney Moore is one of several Democrats interested in the 12th District seat. Moore now represents Charlotte in the General Assembly, but said he makes regular visits to his hometown of Wilmington. He plans to hold a fundraiser and community event in the region soon and thank neighbors and others he has known for years. "It's important wherever you go that you remember your base and what shaped you, and Wilmington has shaped me," Moore said. The 12th Congressional District runs from Charlotte to Greensboro, and includes parts of Winston-Salem. Although this district does not include the Cape Fear region, Moore says that Wilmington could benefit by having a friend in Congress. Moore plans to advocate for economic development utilizing the port of Wilmington. He also plans to support consumer finance protections and small-business growth. I think it's great that a native from Wilmington is running for a seat in Congress and that he plans to help out Wilmington, even though it is not a part of his district. I think it is also great that he supports consumer finance protections and that he supports the growth of small businesses.

This article relates the US Government and Politics because it deals with a State Rep. trying to get elected into Congress and what he will do if he gets elected. It also explains what the 12th district is and what cities it includes.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130729/ARTICLES/130729598/1134/news102?Title=Wilmington-native-running-for-Congress&tc=ar

Blog #2

Former Hoggard teacher, Michael Supak, pleaded guilty to assault on a female and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He reportedly kissed the victim on the back of the neck in October 2012 after approaching her in the field house at Hoggard, and made sexually suggestive remarks. He even texted her and invited her to his house when his wife and kids were out of town. He has been sentenced to three years of supervised probation with a 120-day suspended sentence. I just think that this whole situation is wrong. This man was the head coach for the junior varsity football team and the girls track team, and was also an honors world history teacher. He has ruined his life, not to mention his career, because he now has a criminal record. He has also ruined his family life because he was trying to cheat on his wife with a teenage girl and his wife will probably leave him and take the kids with her (I know I would). People like this just disgust me and you would think that you could trust the teachers at your kid's schools to respect your children.

This relates to United States Government and Politics because it deals with the judicial system and determining what punishment to give this former teacher for the crimes committed.

http://www.wect.com/story/23418196/former-hoggard-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-assault-contributing-to-delinq-of-minor

Ilario Pantano starts his new job on September 5 with a starting salary of $90,000. In 2004, Pantano was charged with two counts of premeditated murder after he shot two Iraqis. However, the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. I do not believe that Pantano should have been given his new job due to the fact that he shot and killed two innocent people.
This article relates to US Government and Politics because it deals with Ilario Pantano, who is now the director of the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs. His jury trial and lack of evidence are also relevant to this class.

Ex-GOP Congressional Candidate gets NC Vets Job