2_6 The Bill of Rights

[Write your name here]

Imagine your area is in a state of emergency and you are concerned about the balance of liberty and security as people try to return to their normal lives, recover what was lost, and rebuild what was destroyed. Compose a WebMail message you could send to elected officials to voice your concerns. Your WebMail message should include positions on two of the potential issues related to civil liberties found below.

Instructions

Use the template provided.

*Introductory Paragraph - Explain why rights are not absolute. Include how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights.

*Address and evaluateTWO (2) of the following situations.

  • The government suspended the right of habeas corpus (the right to see a judge after arrest to determine if imprisonment is lawful).
  • The government forced people to evacuate from their homes.
  • The press accessed the disaster area and published a story in a national newspaper about the event.
  • The government allowed federal and state troops to be quartered in private residences to assist residents and protect order.
  • Citizens were denied the right to bring legally owned firearms to storm shelters.
  • The government made certain dangerous areas off-limits, which prevented residents from accessing their homes and personal property.
  • Prisoners were kept in prisons that lacked power, supplies, and plumbing during the emergency.
  • The federal and state courts postponed scheduled criminal and civil trials due to the emergency.
  • The government prevented the press from publishing graphic photos of victims of the natural disaster to protect the privacy of the victim’s family.
  • The federal government stated that local and state governments are solely responsible for the disaster recovery efforts and that it will not be providing assistance.

*Compose a well-written response to each situation with the following information:

  • the Constitutional amendment that relates to the situation
  • arguments that could be made for or against the action that took place
  • your position on the situation and the reasons you think officials should agree with you

Template

Hello [Write name of local, state, or national elected official here] ,

[Write introductory paragraph here according to instructions below.]

(Explain why rights are not absolute. Include how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights.ERASE PARENTHESES WHEN DONE.)

[Write paragraph 2 here about one situation from the list. Include info below.]

(Include the Constitutional amendment that relates to the situation, arguments that could be made for or against the action that took place, and your position on the situation and the reasons you think officials should agree with you. ERASE PARENTHESES WHEN DONE.)

[Write paragraph 3 here about another situation from the list. Include info below.]

(Include the Constitutional amendment that relates to the situation, arguments that could be made for or against the action that took place, and your position on the situation and the reasons you think officials should agree with you. ERASE PARENTHESES WHEN DONE.)

[Write a short summary here and thank official for their time]

Sincerely,
[Write your name here]

WebMail Message Rubric

Excellent / Good / Needs Improvement / Poor
Content / 35-40 points
The work contains all of the required elements:
  • explanation of why rights are not absolute
  • explanation of how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights
  • evaluation of two civil liberties issues
/ 29-34 points
The work contains most of the required elements:
  • explanation of why rights are not absolute
  • explanation of how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights
  • evaluation of two civil liberties issues
/ 20-28 points
The work contains some of the required elements:
  • explanation of why rights are not absolute
  • explanation of how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights
  • evaluation of two civil liberties issues
/ 0-19 points
The work contains few of the required elements:
  • explanation of why rights are not absolute
  • explanation of how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights
  • evaluation of two civil liberties issues

Quality / 35-40 points
The WebMail message contains completely accurate and thoughtful information about the safeguards and limits on the Bill of Rights. Evaluation of the civil liberties issues is completely justified. / 29-34 points
The WebMail message contains mostly accurate and thoughtful information about the safeguards and limits on the Bill of Rights. Evaluation of the civil liberties issues is mostly justified. / 20-28 points
The WebMail message contains somewhat accurate and thoughtful information about the safeguards and limits on the Bill of Rights. Evaluation of the civil liberties issues is somewhat justified. / 0-19 points
The WebMail message contains rarely accurate and thoughtful information about the safeguards and limits on the Bill of Rights. Evaluation of the civil liberties issues is inadequately justified.
21st Century presentation skills / 17-20 points
The work is well organized, easy to read, and comprehend. It has few spelling or grammar errors / 13-16 points
The work is mostly organized, easy to read, and comprehend. It has few spelling or grammar errors. / 10-12 points
The work is somewhat organized, easy to read, and comprehend. It has some spelling or grammar errors. / 0-9 points
The work lacks organization, ease of reading, and comprehension. It has many spelling or grammar errors.