Simpspns

Part1:
I believe that the Simpson's episode on prohibition was very entertaining.  The accuracies did out weigh the comical exaggerations. Many aspects of the show definitely happened in the 1920's; such as Mob interactions, and a lack of law enforcement.  Many people did smuggle in alcohol or make their own like Homer did. In the 1920's drinking was also the cause of fights and public intoxication; just like drinking was the cause of a large parade riot in the T.V. show.  Rex Banner represented the F.B.I. which was started around the 1920's, and his speech was common for that time.  There were also many untrue things like the punishment for drinking and children getting completely wasted, but overall the episode portrayed prohibition well.  The fictional comedy made the episode enjoyable, but the truth made it interesting.

Part2:
Instead of the entire parade in the beginning breaking into a riot; one smaller drunken mess in the street may have been more accurate.  Also Bart would have had to been drinking a lot more than just the sip he got for him to be stumbling around like a crazy person. 
One other scene that could have been more accurate was that instead of the Mob using giant trucks to carry in alcohol maybe smaller cars or and underground route that is not so noticeable.

Does the U.S. have the right to give up civil liberties in times of war?

No, very simply. The United States should promote loyalty, but if it affects the Constitution, which the county was founded on, then it is wrong.  After all the facts are presented and if the citizens do not agree then a country should not be going to war. In WWI the U.S. citizens could not wait to get into the war. In my opinion there was no reason for censorship. Secrets get people into trouble.  Sending Americans into war with out telling them what they are getting into is wrong.  Hiding facts about both sides is not a good idea.  Promoting the country is one thing, but violating the first amendment makes the Constitution seem like guidelines and close to a joke. If the rules are bent during times of war, then what is stopping them from being changed at any other time? Civil Liberties are the rights given to U.S. citizens at birth, and should always remain that way. 

The U.S.S. Maine

Spain Bombs U.S. Ship!!! 

February 15th Spain bombs the U.S.S. Maine. Sources say that Spanish soldiers were seen leaving the U.S.S Maine only hours before the explosion.  More than four hundred fifty American soldiers were killed and many others wounded.  Spanish officials were caught plotting the event only days earlier by an American soldier.  He had time to write one final letter, detailing the attack, before he was killed, but his  letter did not reach his fellow soldiers in time.  He was also discovered dead the night before the bombing of the Maine. 

The American public is outraged at the lack of action taken President McKinley. 

How many American lives does it take before the United States takes action? 

continued on pg.5