Mom

On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, my mother passed away after a long illness. USCitizenPod will resume its regular schedule in the new year. Thank you.

Shine, Give, Share: Honoring Military Families for the Holidays

Shine, Give, Share: Honoring Military Families for the Holidays

Go inside the White House and the Naval Observatory, the official residence for the Vice President, for the holiday season as we honor military families and their service to our nation. http://whitehouse.gov/holidays

U.S. Illegal Immigrants and Mass Deportations Face New Scrutiny

VOAVideo: U.S. Illegal Immigrants and Mass Deportations Face New Scrutiny

The U.S. government is currently reviewing orders to deport thousands of illegal immigrants in two cities, at a time of great division on the issue at federal and local levels. In the past fiscal year, a record 396,000 undocumented immigrants were deported from the United States, with more than 300,000 cases still pending. VOA's Nico Colombant has more.

West Wing Week: 12/23/11 or "#40dollars"

West Wing Week: 12/23/11 or "#40dollars"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. With the holidays in full swing and the countdown clock ticking away, the President continued to press for the extension of the payroll tax cut for 160 million working Americans and unemployment insurance benefits for millions of others looking for work. The President urged House Republicans to put aside their political games and pass the bill that's garnered overwhelming, bipartisan support in the US Senate. That's December 16th to December 22nd or "#40dollars."

Behind-the-Scenes Look: Time-Lapse of Holidays at the White House

Behind-the-Scenes Look: Time-Lapse of Holidays at the White House

Go behind the scenes at the White House with this series of time-lapse photography moments brought to you by the White House Photo Office. http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

Bill of Rights Day!

Today's Topic: the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.

The Bill of Rights guarantees personal rights to all people living in the United States.

During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, some people wanted a strong federal government and some people wanted a weak central government that gave more power to the states. James Madison tried to use the ideas from both "parties" and wrote the US Constitutuon.

Some states did not want to ratify the new US Constitution. They were afraid that a strong federal govenment would try to control people and take away their rights.

In 1789, James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights to "amend" (change) the US Constitution. The must guarantee the personal rights of all people living in the US. The states approved the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791.

These amendments protect the basic rights of the people.

1st: Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly, Religion, and the Right to Petition

2nd: Right to Bear Arms

3rd: Protection from Quartering Soldiers

4th: Protection from Search & Seizure

5th: Right to Fair Legal Treatment

6th: Right to a Lawyer

7th: Right to Trial by Jury

8th: Protection from Cruel Punishments

9th: People have more rights not listed in the Constitution

10th: State Rights

Originally, the Bill of Rights had 12 different amendments, but the first two were not passed by enough states.

Visit the Bill of Rights Institute: Constitution Dayfor further education and multimendia resources.

VOANEWS: American History Series: The Heart and Spirit of the Constitution On THE MAKING OF A NATION: When the Constitution was written, a majority of the states already had their own bills of rights. So some delegates questioned the need for a national one.

• MP3 - Download (MP3)
• MP3 - Listen to (MP3)
• RealAudio - Download

More interesting resources:

• Simple Wiki Bill of Rights
• EL Civics Bill of Rights

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgen de Tepeyac,


Patroness of the Americas,


Mother Without Borders!

Dual Tree Lighting Illuminates Annual Holiday Debate

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

VOAVideo: Dual Tree Lighting Illuminates Annual Holiday Debate

It's the Christmas holiday season in the United States, and with it comes an annual argument: Should local, state and federal governments put up Christmas trees, or even call attention to Christmas, in a country that has no official religion? It's one of the most recognizable symbols of the season. VOA's Carla Babb reports that in the northeastern state of Rhode Island State House this year, the governor says the seasonal spruce is getting a name change from Christmas tree to holiday tree.(read the article)

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

For more info, visit Human Rights Action Center or

Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Simple English Wikipedia ...

West Wing Week: 12/9/11 or "The Obamas of Osawatomie"

West Wing Week: 12/9/11 or "The Obamas of Osawatomie"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President gave a major address on the defining issue of our time, restoring economic security to the middle class. He also hosted former President Clinton, the Canadian Prime Minister and Startup America, honored five giants from the Art World, and urged Congress to extend the Payroll Tax Cut. That's December 2nd to December 8th or "The Obamas of Osawatomie."

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?



The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception located in Washington, D.C., honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States and celebrates the diversity of the American Catholicism. As a Roman Catholic, I am proud to share my religious and cultural heritage that informs my work as an ESL/Citizenship teacher. (take a virtual tour)

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

US Observes Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack

USCIS 100:81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

VOANews: US Remembers Pearl Harbor, 70 Years Later

Hundreds estimated to be gathered at Pearl Harbor, where new visitor's center is to open at scene of attack (plus streaming audio)

VOANews: Pearl Harbor Fact Box

USCIS 100:81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

• Japan, Germany, and Italy

West Wing Week: 12/02/11 or "Bo Meets Bo"

West Wing Week: 12/02/11 or "Bo Meets Bo"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, as the President urged Republicans to join a Democratic effort to prevent a thousand dollar tax increase on the typical American family, the White House got spruced up for the holidays. The President also hosted the EU Summit, the Dutch Prime Minister, and announced a new commitment to fighting AIDS in America and around the world. He also lit the National Christmas Tree. That's November 25 to December 1st or "Bo Meets Bo."

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day commemoration at the White House

Presidential Proclamation -- World AIDS Day, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

On World AIDS Day, 30 years after the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported, we stand with the individuals and communities affected by HIV and recommit to progress toward an AIDS free generation. (read more)

Also watch the video: The Beginning of the End of AIDS