Week # 5: Vietnam War Areas of Interest (1 Required Post & 1 Required response)

Consider the following Vietnam sub-topics. Do some research and post your ideas. Make connections with the Chicago 1968 video and Tiger Force when possible. Respond to at least one other classmates' post.

A) Kent State shooting. (What happened, when/why, your thoughts etc.)

B) My Lai Massacre (What happened, when/why, your thoughts etc.)

C) Nixon/Kissinger Efforts re: Vietnam War (Vietnamization, Operation Menu, Operation Duck Hook, Cambodian Incursion)

D) Weapons of War-What weapons were used? How do they differ from today's weaponry?

E) Bruce Crandall (Ia Drang Valley Hero) and the Congressional Medal of Honor

HELPFUL WEBSITES: http://www.vietnampix.com/index.html,
http://www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/index.html,
http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm

Week # 5: TIGER FORCE Reflection (Required)

As you finish the book, use this blog thread to react, reflect, ask questions, and generally provide feedback. Your ideas can be about the book content (Vietnam War & Tiger Force) and/or your thoughts on the book as a tool for learning about the war. Here are a couple of sites you may find useful as you contemplate your ideas:

1) http://www.tigerforcerecon.com/ (Thanks to Tom for reminding us we have access to this site to learn TONS about Tiger Force then and now!)
2) http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/29/134933267/pentagon-apologizes-again-after-new-pictures-of-kill-team-are-published
3) http://www.npr.org/2011/03/23/134800872/Soldier-Pleads-Guilty-In-Afghan-Murders (This NPR segment, which you can listen too as well, reveals more about civilians dying at the hands of the US military.)

Week #4 Cuban Missile Crisis

Research the Cuban Missile Crisis. Use this blog to share what you find and respond to the movie "13 Days"-Ideas:

*What was your favorite scene and/or character?
*How realistic was the film? Were there historical inaccuracies?
*How close were the US and USSR to all out nuclear war?
*Who are the heroes of this situation?
*What might it have been like to live in the US/USSR during this time period? Would you have been afraid? What actions might you have taken?

Week # 3: Duck and Cover Follow Up

Just in case you want to practice your duck and cover skills, here is the link to Bert the Turtle: 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1528313029232126903#

Also, Tom sent along a recent CNN.com commentary re: Duck and Cover that is really interesting to read:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/20/greene.radiation/index.html?hpt=C2
If you'd like to comment re: any of the above info, feel free to do so on this blog:)  Does anyone think we are being overexposed to radiation?  Is the US prepared for a potential nuclear "disaster"?  Where is Erie's nearest nuclear plant?  Other thoughts/comments?

Week # 3: Political Ads

Using the Political Adswebsite
pick a political add to analyze.  Explain why you chose that particular add, what you like/dislike about it, and how it compares/contrasts to other ads you have viewed.

Week # 3: Post War PRODUCTS Then & Now

Based on the video of the 50s' & 60s' commercials, choose a product that became popular in the postwar years.  Research that product and tell us about it; what it is, what it cost, why it was such a hit with people, what it looks like etc. (Insert an image using the blue landscape picture on the tool bar, or video perhaps?) 

Next, tell us about a comparable product of today, and provide us with comparison and contrast information. 

READ the blogs of classmates to learn more about the post war era as a time of great economic "boom"!

Week # 2 Thurber's "The Last FLower" (Option)

www.­ommas-­aarden.­net/­Last_Flower_page­1.­htm
What is Thurber's view of mankind?  Is the parable optimistic or pessimistic?  How does this cartoon connect to the Cold War?

Week # 2 Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (Option)

http://www.thebulletin.org/
What is the Doomsday Clock? (see top right of screen) How close are we to midnight?  Note how the clock has moved throughout history, especially during the height of the Cold War!  What is the closest we have ever been to midnight?  What are your perceptions re: the possibility of nuclear war, nuclear accidents, and/or an act of terror using nuclear devices?

WEEK # 2 REQUIRED TIGER FORCE BLOG

After reading through Chapters 1-16 of Tiger Force, pick ONE chapter to summarize for the class.  Your summary can be a paragraph(s)  or bulleted points.  Do NOT repeat chapters that others have written about.

Week # 2: McCarthyism (Option)

Joseph McCarthy's "fear tactics" caused many innocent people to suffer, whether through loss of reputation or loss of a job.  The MASH episode took the fear of communism concept and told a story to make the idea relatable.  Use this blog to comment on fear as a way to gain political power.  Why was McCarthy so successful (for awhile)?  Are similar tactics used today?  Do things like what happened to Margaret in the MASH episode still happen today?

Week # 2: The United Nations (Option)

Do some research on the UN.  Is the organization still viable?  What role does the US play in the UN?  How is the UN funded?  Use this blog to raise questions, make comments, share research, and generally discuss the United Nations, both historically (i.e. during the Cold War) and/or currently.

Week #1: Favorite President

Choose one of the US Presidents who held power from 1946-2011 as your "favorite/least favorite."  Share specific aspects of WHY you chose this man.  Outside research/ideas should certainly appear on this blog.  Additionally, feel free to link us to additional information.  Ideally, do NOT repeat selections of other students.

Week #1: Tiger Force Chapters 1-7

Share a description of one of the major characters from the Tiger Force book.  Include multiple qualities of the character you choose.  Quote from the book where appropriate.  Do not duplicate the choices of classmates.