pc 2 commander-bush and the war on terror-student program
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
1/13
Educating Young People about the Constitution
www.BillofRightsInstitute.org
Presidents and the Constitution,
Vol. 2War and the Constitution:
George W. Bush and the War on
Terror
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
2/13
Presidents and the Constitution Resources
2
According to the Constitution, only Congresscan declare war. However, Presidents controlthe military and often send troops into foreigncountries without the approval of Congress.
So who really has the Power to declare war,Congress or the President?
Directions: Read Gleaves Whitneys essayCommanders in Chief at War on pages 38-41.Underline or highlight the facts you think areimportant.
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
3/13
Constitutional Connection Activity
3
Impeachment and the Constitution
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
4/13
Critical Engagement Question
Should accused foreign terrorists be afforded all constitutionaldue process protections?
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
4
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
5/13
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
Objectives
Understand President George W.Bushs response to the terroristattacks of September 11, 2001
Analyze constitutional arguments
on the nature of terrorist acts.Evaluate whether accused foreignterrorists should be afforded allconstitutional due process
protections.
President George W.Bush and Ground Zero
of the World TradeCenter, Sept . 11, 2001
5
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
6/13
Background/HomeworkRead Handout A: George W.Bush and the War on Terror andanswer the questions:
1) What ultimatum didPresident Bush give to theTaliban on September 20,2001?
2) What are two differences
between criminal trials andmilitary tribunals?
Taliban in Afghanistan beating a woman inpublic because she removed her burqa-2001
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
6
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
7/13
Background/Homework
continued3) How did the Supreme Courtinitially respond to habeas corpuspetitions from detainees at
Guantanamo Bay? How did theCourt respond in 2004, 2006, and2007?
4) Should admitted and/or
accused foreign terrorists beafforded all constitutional dueprocess protections? Explainyour answer.
Guantanamo Bay Detainee FacilityGuantanomo, Cuba
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
7
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
8/13
Warm Up
Review Handout B: September Eleventh True or False andanswer the following questions:
1)President George W. Bush was the first President to order strikes onIslamic terrorists.
2)Since most of the September 11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, Bushordered military strikes against that country.
3)The overwhelming majority of victims on September 11, 2001 werecivilians.
4)President Bushs approval rating was over 90% when Congress enacted
the USA-PATRIOT Act (an act strengthening law enforcement power tofind and capture terrorists.)
5)The U.S. declared war on Afghanistan when the Taliban governmentrefused to hand over Osama bin Laden.
6)In December of 2001, a CBS poll showed that a large majority of
Americans supported giving President Bush special war powers.
True
False: Thomas Jefferson was the first.
False: He ordered a strike against Afghanistan, where theTaliban government was harboring Osama bin Laden.
True
True
False: Congress never declared war. (Andonly Congress has the power to do so.)
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
8
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
9/13
Activity
Think about this question: Are actsof terror acts of war, or are theycriminal acts?
Review Handout C: Data Pointsand discuss the chart with apartner.
Once finished, share yourresponses with the class.
Remains of thefederal building afterthe Oklahoma City
bombing April 26,1995
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
9
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
10/13
Wrap Up
Discuss the followingquestions:1) In 2001, to what degree
was Bushs responseconsistent with historical
precedent?2) The President has theconstitutional role ofCommander in Chief ofthe military. How should
the President understandthese roles with respectto terrorism?
President George W.Bushs speech to thenation after the attackson September 11, 2001.
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
10
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
11/13
Wrap Up continued
Discuss the followingquestions:3) How should the Presidentrespond when an attack is byan unconventional enemy,
i.e. one not officially associatedwith a foreign state?4) What arguments did Bushoffer to justify his argumentthat accused foreign terrorists
should not be afforded allconstitutional due processprotections?5) What arguments should bemade that they should beafforded all those protections?
Ariel view of theremains of the WorldTrade Center in NewYork after theSeptember 11, 2001attacks.
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
11
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
12/13
Homework
Create an illustrated timeline (withbrief descriptions) of major national
events, federal legislation, andSupreme Court cases about the War onTerror since September 11, 2001. UseHandout A as well as any otheravailable resources.
Audio clip of CeeCee Lyles. Mother offour children and flight attendant onUnited Flight 93; one of the flightshijacked by terrorists on 9-11-2001. These
are the last words her family heard fromher. She died as the plane crashed.
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
12
-
8/2/2019 PC 2 Commander-Bush and the War on Terror-Student Program
13/13
Extensions
Compare and contrast the legal treatment of admitted and/or accused terroristsunder the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration. Use anyavailable research material.
George W. Bush and the War on Terror
Court Room inGuantanamoDetentionFacility. Thesetrials are closedto the public.
13