国家概况美国新闻理解.doc

You need to find an article, read it and summarize it (write down the main ideas), you need to cite the article and then try to answer these questions at the bottom of your homework
1) Does the issue in the article have anything to do with one of the amendments in the Bill of Rights?
2) Does it relate to Checks and Balances (the 3 branches of government and how they work together)?
3) Does is have to do with national/local power struggles (should the right to regulate/make laws about something belong to the national government, the state government or the people)?
Yes/no answers are fine.

Ⅰ. Original News from VOA News ( picked up from ) :

President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Pentagon Memorial, marking the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, 11 Sep 2010
On the ninth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, U.S. President Barack Obama has emphasized that America is not at war with Islam. The president made his remarks at the Pentagon Memorial.
President Obama spoke after laying a wreath at the memorial to the 184 people killed when Islamist militants hijacked a commercial airliner and slammed it into the side of the Defense Department headquarters.

Flowers had been placed on many of the memorial's stone benches, each of which bears the name of one of that day's victims.

Calling the Pentagon "hallowed ground," the president told the families of those who died nine years ago their loved ones will not be forgotten.

"I thought it must seem some days the world has moved on to other things. I say to you today, that your loved ones endure in the heart of our nation now and forever," he said.

The president alluded indirectly to the controversy over a plan to build an Islamic center and mosque near the area of the 9-11 attacks in New York, and to a Christian minister who Friday called off his plan to burn the Quran in protest.

Mr. Obama spoke strongly in favor of religious freedom, saying Americans will not give in to the hatred and prejudice the 9-11 hijackers had sought to spread.

"They may seek to spark conflict between faiths but as Americans we are not and never will be at war with Islam," said the president. "It was not a religion that attacked that September day. It was al-Qaida, a sorry band of men who pervert religion."

The president also said the United States will be relentless in defending itself against terrorism. "They doubted our will, but as Americans we persevere. Today in Afghanistan and beyond, we have gone on the offensive and struck major blows against al-Qaida and its allies. We will do what is necessary to protect our country," he said.

Earlier Saturday, Mr. Obama observed a private moment of silence at 8:46, the time when the first plane crashed into New York's World Trade Center.

The president has also encouraged Americans to make September 11th a day of service to others. After speaking at the Pentagon Memorial, the president traveled to a school in Washington to help paint its walls. While there, he talked with volunteers who were making quilts for the children of service members deployed overseas.

ANSWER
1. Yes. Amendment I says that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In this piece of news, it says ‘Mr. Obama spoke strongly in favor of religious freedom, he says’ It was not a religion that attacked that September day. It was al-Qaida, a sorry band of men who pervert religion.’ ’ Mr.Obama insisted on the freedom of religion.
2. Yes, but it only demonstrates the president’s power part of Checks and Balance. President has the executive power, for example, he attended the memorial; he declared Amercia’s determination to fight against the terrorism as well as his approve of religious freedom; he observed a private moment of silence; he traveled to a school in Washington to help paint its walls and so on.
3. No. There’s nothing to do with the national/ local power struggles.